405  n 
e>75 


UC-NRLF 


B    3    MOO    7fl0 

CONTAINING 


IDE, 


PRACTICAL  DIRECTIONS  FOR  THE  CULTIVATION  OF  ANNUAL, 

BIENNIAL,  AND    PERENNIAL  M 


FLOWERING    PLANTS, 


OF    DIFFERENT    CLASSES, 


HERBACEOUS  AND  SHRUBBY, 


I 

(f  BULBOUS,  FIBROUS  AND  TUBEROUS  ROOTED, 
t 


INCLUDING  THE  DOUBLE  DAHLIA. 


WITH  A  MONTHLY  C^ALfeNDAR, 


(i(      CONTAINING    INSTRUCTIONS    FOR    THE    MANAGEMENT  OF 
GREENHOUSE  PLANTS  THROUGHOUT  THE  YEAR. 


THE  WHOLE  ADAPTED  TO  THE  CLIMATE  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 


A    NEW    AND    IMPROVED    EDITION. 


BY    THOMAS    BRIDGfiMAN 

GARDENER,    SEEDSMAN,    AND   FLORIST. 


NEW  YORK: 
FOR    SALE    BY    THE    AUTHOR, 

BROADWAY,  CORNER  OF  EIGHTEENTH-STREET, 

AND  EDWARD  WALKER,   114  FULTON-STREET, 

J.  M.  Thorburn  &  Co.,  15  John-street,  Alex.  Smith,  388  Broadway,  Dunlar  St,  Thompson, 
Broadway,  N.  Y.  ;  Wm.  Thorburn,  Broadway,  Albany  iG.  F.  Crosinan,  Rochester;  Ho- 
vey&  Co.,  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,.  Walker  &  Co.,  Boston;  David 
Landreth,  If.  A.  Dreer,  Robert  Buist,  Philadelphia  c  Gibson  &  Ritchie,  Newark,  N.  J. ; 
R.  S.nclair,  Jr.,&  Co.,  Baltimore;  J.  F.  Callan,  Washington  City ;  Henry  Cook,  Alex- 
andria, D.,C.  ;    Frederick  WittDenn,  Charleston,  S.  C,  ;    MoselyfcOo..  Mooile;    Wm. 


Dinn,  New  Orleans  ;    Jas.  M.  Thorburn,  St.  Louis  ; 
cinnati ;   Charles  A.  Peabody,  Columbus,  Ga. ;  A.  G. 
Seedsmen. — Also,  by  Booksellers  in  general. 

"1847™ 


ly  &  Campbell,  H.  Huxley.  Cin- 
[unn;  Louisville,  Ky. ;    and  other 


LIBRARY 

-"-"IK-"1"""* 


-^  ^A*  tf^^f 


.,,u  .*  ?*  •** 


.«  .'. 


THE  FLORIST'S  GUIDE, 


CONTAINING 


PRACTICAL  DIRECTIONS  FOR  THE  CULTIVATION  OF  ANNUAL, 
BIENNIAL,  AND    PERENNIAL 

FLOWERING    PLANTS, 

OF    DIFFERENT    CLASSES, 

HERBACEOUS  AND  SHRUBBY, 
BULBOUS,  FIBROUS  AND  TUBEROUS  ROOTED, 

INCLUDING  THE  DOUBLE  DAHLIA. 


WITH  A  MONTHLY  CALENDAR, 

CONTAINING  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  THE  MANAGF^^N-^ 
GREENHOUSE  PLANTS  THROUGHOUT  TH^^EAR, 

h><    K3&k     Jo 

A  NEW  AND  IMPROVED  EDITOOr&>  -  V" 


THB    WHOLS    ADAPTED    TO    THE    CLIMATE    OF    THJ 


'i$m 


BY    THOMAS    BRIDGEMAN; 

GARDENER,    SEEDSMAN,    AND   FLORIST. 

NEW  YORK: 
FOR    SALE    BY    THE    AUTHOR, 

BROADWAY,  CORNER  OF  EIGHTEENTH-STREET, 

AND  EDWARD  WALKER,   114  FULTON-STREET, 

J.  M.  Thorburn  &  Co.,  15  John-street.  Alex.  Smith,  388  Broadway,  Dunlap&  Thompson, 
Broadway,  N.  Y.  ;  Wm.  Thorburn,  Broadway,  Albany :  C.  F.  Crosman,  Rochester:  Ho- 
vey  &  Co.,  Joseph  Breck&Co.,  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  Walker  &.  Co.,  Boston;  David 
Landreth,  H.  A.  Dreer,  Robert  Buist,  Philadelphia  ;  Gibson  &  Ritchie,  Newark,  N.  J.  ; 
R.  Sinclair,  Jr.,  &  Co.,  Baltimore;  J.  F.  Callan,  Washington  City  ;  Henry  Cook,  Alex, 
andria,  D.  C.  :  Frederick  Wittoenn,  Charleston,  S.  C.  ;  Mosely  &  Co.,  Mobile;  Wm. 
Dinn,  New  Orleans  ;  Jas.  M.  Thorburn,  St.  Louis  ;  Ely  &  Campbell,  H.  Huxley,  Cin- 
cinnati ;  Charles  A.  Peabody,  Columbus,  Ga. ;  A.  G.  Munn,  Louisville,  Ky. ;  ana  other 
Seedsmen. — Also,  by  Booksellers  in  general. 


XTBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


3HT 


hP9A-**N  J°  P!J)Fia  xuaqmos  3iH  «9  'saws  paijun  am  jo  iinoo  win 
-giQ  9TH  )°  w&Q  s,?ljaI3  »i{J  ur  'Kvwaoaiag  svmohx  Aq  naAas-^jioj  put? 


PREFACE. 


There  is  no  subject,  perhaps,  that  occupies  the  mind  of 
man  that  is  better  calculated  to  afford  substantial  intellectual 
pleasure  and  gratification  than  the  study  of  Nature,  espe- 
cially if  we  view  it  from  the  consideration,  that  as  man  is 
subservient  to  God,  so  are  all  instinctive  beings,  as  well  as 
the  productions  of  the  earth,  subservient  to,  and  designed 
for,  the  use  of  man. 

Man  being  thus  dignified,  and  endowed  with  understand- 
ing, reason,  and  moral  freedom,  is  exalted  far  above  all 
other  creatures  of  the  earth.  How  important,  then,  that  he 
should  maintain  his  station  in  society  as  becomes  a  rational 
and  intelligent  being,  instead  of  sinking  himself,  as  too  many 
do,  below  the  meanest  of  the  mean,  by  spending  his  time  in 
dissipation  and  vice. 

It  is  a  fact,  which  cannot  be  controverted,  that  the  want 
of  mental  and  physical  employment  often  proves  an  incen- 
tive to  vice,  which  will  almost  invariably  produce  misery ; 
and  as  surely  as  the  earth  will  bring  forth  noxious  weeds, 
when  left  uncultivated,  so  surely  will  one  vice  beget  another; 
which,  if  not  eradicated,  will  multiply  to  an  alarming  extent, 
until  its  victims  become  a  pest  to  society,  and  a  disgrace  to 
mankind. 

Now  as  happiness  is  preferable  to  misery,  virtue  to  vice, 
knowledge  to  ignorance,  and  order  to  confusion,  how  impor- 
tant it  is  that  those  who  pretend  to  be  rational  beings  should 
employ  their  leisure  hours  in  a  manner  calculated  to  insure 
the  greatest  amount  of  that  which  is  intrinsically  valuable. 

What  subject  can  be  better  calculated  to  promote  such  an 
object  than  the  subject  of  cultivation,  when  viewed  in  all  its 
bearings  1  But  as  we  are  about  treating  of  Flowers,  I  shall 
confine  my  ideas  as  closely  as  possible  to  the  subject  under 
consideration,  trusting  that  while  the  hand  is  employed  in 
cultivating  the  transient  beauties  of  a  garden,  the  attentive 
mind  will  feast  daintily  on  the  study  of  Nature,  and  in  the 


IV  PREFACE 

end  enrich  itself  with  solid  and  lasting  good.  As  an  incite- 
ment to  such  study,  the  following  reflections  are  submitted 
to  the  attentive  perusal  of  the  reader. 

The  creation  of  Nature  is  beautiful,  enchantingly  beau- 
tiful, universally  diffused,  and  of  endless  variety;  but  it  is  the 
province  of  man  to  adorn  a  single  spot,  to  collect  about  him 
the  scattered  and  single  beauties,  and  to  see,  and  feel,  and 
enjoy  them.  Nature  is  fruitful,  inexhaustibly  fruitful ;  but 
man  must  improve  her  fertility,  guide  it,  and  give  it  its  most 
generally  useful  direction.  Nature  is  full  of  life,  but  man  is 
capable  of  diversifying,  elevating,  and  ennobling  this  lifej 
and  he  is  amply  rewarded  for  his  labour. 

"  Thine  is  a  glorious  volume,  Nature !     Each 
Line,  leaf,  and  page,  is  filled  with  living  lore $ 

Wisdom  more  pure  than  sage  could  ever  teach, 
And  all  philosophy's  divinest  store  j 

Rich  lessons  rise  where'er  thy  tracks  are  trod : 

The  book  of  Nature  is  the  book  of  God." 

It  may  be  truly  said,  that  the  whole  field  of  Nature  is  laid 
open  to  the  investigation  and  mental  enjoyment  of  man,  and 
that  its  study  is  the  more  accessible,  because  it  is  the  easiest 
as  well  as  the  most  delightful  of  all  studies. 

The  student  in  literature  must  have  his  library,  the  natu- 
ral philosopher  and  chemist,  his  apparatus,  and  the  student 
of  man,  his  annals  and  records  ;  which  are  frequently  so 
perplexing,  that  much  of  his  time  is  spent  in  testing  their 
correctness,  and  the  results  of  his  study  are  often  far  from 
satisfactory  to  himself.  Whereas  the  tillage  of  the  soil  invi- 
gorates man's  mental  as  well  as  bodily  powers,  and  elicits 
more  deep  science,  and  more  observation,  and  more  general 
acquaintance  with  the  laws  of  Nature,  than  any  other  pur- 
suit of  life. 

Of  all  recreations,  perhaps  the  cultivation  of  flowers  may 
be  considered  as  the  most  enchanting.  It  is  not  only  con- 
genial to  health,  but  is  calculated  to  attach  man  to  his  home; 
and  he  who  delights  in  his  home,  and  feels  disposed  to  em- 
bellish it,  will  be  likely  to  hasten  to  it  when  he  has  done  his 


PREFACE.  f 

business  abroad,  instead  of  wasting  his  time  in  the  pursuit 
of  transient  and  dissolute  pleasure. 

But  I  had  almost  forgotten  that  this  guide  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  beauties  of  Nature  is  chiefly  designed  for  the  use 
of  the  softer  sex.  I  shall  not  content  myself  with  merely 
offering  an  apology  for  the  digression,  but  will  promise  to 
bear  them  in  mind  throughout  my  studies,  not  doubting  that 
my  humble  endeavours  to  amuse  and  instruct  them  will  be 
duly  appreciated ;  which,  to  an  author,  is  a  source  of  inex- 
pressible satisfaction. 

Mean  is  the  man  who  never  will  bestow 

A  leaf  of  laurel  on  a  female  brow ; 

From  the  chaste  fountain  of  whose  fertile  mind, 

Spring  forth  the  graces  which  adorn  mankind. 

Having  thus  introduced  myself  to  my  fair  readers,  I  shall 
proceed  to  treat  of  the  cultivation  of  the  various  and  most 
admired  kinds  of  flowering  plants  ;  and  I  flatter  myself  that 
if,  by  implanting  a  taste  for  rural  subjects,  I  should  succeed 
in  making  them  good  cultivators  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the 
word,  they  will  be  immeasurably  happy  in  "  The  Matrimo- 
nial Garden,"*  should  they  ever  enter  therein;  and  in  pro- 
portion as  they  advance  in  the  work  of  cultivation,  will  they 
excel  in  virtue,  which  a  wise  man  once  declared  was  to  a 
woman  of  immense  value,  "far  above  rubies,"  yea,  even 
equal  to  a  glittering  "  crown." 

"  A  virtuous  conduct  leaves  behind 
A  lasting  pleasure  in  the  mind, 
"Which  by  remembrance  will  assuage 
Grief,  sickness,  poverty,  and  age ; 
And  oft  impart  a  cheering  ray, 
To  'lumine  life's  declining  day." 

I  would  fain  confess  here  to  my  fair  readers,  that  I  have, 
in  the  course  of  my  studies,  occasionally  wandered  from  my 
accustomed  track,  with  a  view  to  afford  them  mental  recrea- 
tion while  engaged  in  cultivating  the  transient  inmates  of  ft 
garden,  and  from  a  conviction  that  the  flowers  of  poesy  are 

*  This  refers  to  an  article  entitled  "  The  Matrimonial  Garden,"  which 
will  be  found  toward  the  end  of  the  book. 


in  PEEPACE. 

not  only  conducive  to  intellectual  pleasure,  but  calculated  to 
improve  the  mind,  and  to  relieve  it  of  that  intense  thought 
which  necessarily  attends  practical  pursuits,  I  have  ventured 
to  intrude  on  the  patience  of  those  whose  sole  object  maybe 
practical  knowledge.  I  can,  however,  inform  such,  that  no 
efforts  have  been  spared  to  render  the  work  generally  in- 
structive as  well  as  amusing,  and  would  invite  the  attention 
of  my  readers  to  a  perusal  of  its  contents  before  they  com- 
mence the  process  of  cultivation  ;  and  if  they  select  a  proper 
soil,  and  provide  suitable  seed  and  implements,  I  doubt  not 
that  they  will  experience  the  highest  satisfaction  in  their 
instructive,  pleasant,  and  healthful  employment. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  observe,  that  in  order  to  keep  pace 
with  the  increasing  taste  for  flowers,  and  to  render  this  work 
a  desideratum  to  those  amateur  florists  who  cultivate  plants 
merely  for  amusement,  I  have  in  this  edition  introduced 
several  important  improvements  j  I  am,  however,  aware 
that  it  may  be  viewed  by  some  as  still  an  imperfect  work ; 
and  having  no  wish  either  to  overrate  its  merits  or  conceal 
its  defects,  lam  free  to  acknowledge,  that  in  aiming  to  divest 
the  subject  of  those  technicalities  which  too  often  discourage 
new  beginners  in  this  pursuit,  the  style  may  perhaps  in 
some  instances  have  degenerated  into  a  censurable  quaint- 
ness.  The  apology  I  offer  is,  that,  having  spent  a  greater 
portion  of  my  time  in  the  wide  field  of  nature,  than  in  the 
study  of  the  dead,  or  even  living  languages,  I  have  been 
more  familiar  with  that  which  appertains  to  practical  gar- 
dening, than  with  the  contents  of  literary  tomes  ;  and  that, 
having  no  wish,  even  were  I  competent,  to  amuse  classical 
leaders  with  a  tedious  vocabulary  of  Greek,  Latin,  and  Bo- 
tanical terms,  I  have  confined  my  attention  to  the  teaching 
of  plain  people  the  rudiments  of  Floriculture,  in  a  concise 
and  explicit  manner ;  and  I  flatter  myself  that  my  labour 
has  not  been  altogether  in  vain. 

T,  BEIDGEMAN. 

■ 


CONTENTS. 


. 


M 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

On  laying  out  the  ground. — Adaptation  of  each  species  page. 
of  plants  to  its  peculiar  element,  -         -         -         -     13 

Suggestions  for  forming  a  rockery  to  accommodate  plants 

which  originated  in  mountainous  districts,      -         -14 

The  cultivation  of  annual  flowers  adapted  to  Ladies. — 
In  sowing  of  seed,  transplanting,  watering,  and 
training  plants,  by  tying  them  to  neat  poles  or  rods, 
or  leading  them  over  trellis-work,  &c. — Attention 
directed  to  grass-walks,  lawns,  gravel-walks,  box- 
edgings,  decayed  plants,  insects,  &c.,     -         -         -     15 

INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  CATALOGUE  OF  ANNUAL  FLOWER 
SEED. 

Attention  directed  to  the  study  of  Flowers,  with  a  view 
to  their  successful  cultivation. — Observations  on 
the  germination  of  seed  in  different  climates. — 
Estimates  respecting  annual  flowers  as  regards  their 
growth,  time  of  blossoming,  &c,  -         -         -15 

A  Catalogue  of  Annual  Flower  Seed,  -         -         -     18 

Suggestions  for  providing  bulbous,  tuberous,  and  peren- 
nial plants,  including  Dahlias,  &c,  for  early  plant- 
ing.— Also,  garden  implements,  labels,  suitable 
soil,  compost,  &c., 22 

Directions  for  sowing  flower  seed  in  borders,  flower- 
pots, beds,  and  circles,  with  notes  illustrative  o£ 
the  different  plans,        -         -"       -----         -     23 

Method  of  securing  fragrance  to  Mignonette,       -         -     26 

PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS  TO  THE  CATALOGUE  OF  BIEN- 
NIAL AND  PERENNIAL  FLOWER  SEED. 

On  the  circulation  of  the  sap  in  roots  and.  stalks  of  plants,  28 
Frequent^  renewals   of  the  roots  of  perennial   plants 

.  recommended, 29 

A  Catalogue  of  Biennial  and  Perennial  Flower  seed,  -  30 


CONTENTS. 


Directions  for  cultivating  biennial  and  perennial  flow-  PaWt 
ers  from  seed,  offsets,  layers,  cuttings,  &c. — Also, 
for  propagating  green-house  plants,  and  for  arrang- 
ing intermixed  flowers  to  advantage,  illustrated  by 
notes  and  annotations,  - 

Introduction  to  the  Catalogue  of  Flowering  and  Orna- 
mental Shrubs. — Observations  on  the  adaptation  of 
dwarf  shrubs  for  hedges  to  a  flower  garden,  also  on 
training  creepers  or  climbers  to  the  best  advantage, 

A  Catalogue  of  Dwarf  Flowering,  and  Ornamental 
Shrubs,        -------- 

A  Catalogue  of  Climbing  Ornamental  Shrubs,     - 

Directions  for  the  propagation  of  Ornamental  Shrubs  by 
various  methods,  - 

Directions  for  transplanting,  pruning,  and  training  Orna- 
mental Shrubs,     ------- 

Beauties  op  April  and  May — Showing  the  order  of 
the  flower  tribe  throughout  the  summer  season, 
with  poetic  pieces  illustrative  of  the  different  genera, 


33 


38 

39 

45 

49 

53 


54 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  CULTIVATION  OF  BULBOUS  AND 
TUBEROUS  ROOTED  PLANTS. 


On  the  introduction  and  multiplication  of  the  above  de- 
scription of  plants,        ------ 

Bulbous  and  Tuberous  Roots  defined — Soil  suited  to 
bulbous  roots  in  general,      -         -         -         -         - 

Directions  for  forming  the  beds  to  contain  bulbous  and 
tuberous  roots,  also  for  preserving  the  bulbs  and 
tubers  when  in  a  dormant  state,    -         -         -         - 


63 


64 


65 


BULBOUS  AND  TUBEROUS  ROOTED  PLANTS, 
Practical  directions  for  the  cultivation  of  which  will  be  found  under  each  head. 


Amaryllis,       -        -        -  67 

Ixias, 

-  82 

Anemone  and  Ranuncu- 

Jonquil, - 

-  83 

lus,      -         -         -         -  68 

Lachenalias,   - 

-  83 

Crocus,  in  numerous  vari- 

Lilies, 

-  83 

ties,     -         -        -        -  69 

Narcissus, 

-  85 

Crown  Imperial,      -         -  69 

Ornithogalum,  or 

Star  of 

Colchicum,      -         -         -  70 

Bethlehem, 

-  85 

Cyclamen,       -         -         -  70 

Oxalis,    - 

-  86 

Double  Dahlia,        -         -  70 

Paeony,  - 

-  87 

Gladiolus,  or  Sword  Lily,  79 

Tulip,     - 

-  88 

Hyacinth,        -         -         -  81 

Tuberose, 

-  92 

Iris,  or  Flower  de  Luce,  82 

Tiger  Flower, 

-  93 

CONTENTS.  IX, 

OBSERVATIONS   ON  THE   CULTIVATION  OF  BULBOUS    ROOTS 
IN  POTS  AND  GLASSES. 

Caution  against  over-watering  bulbous  plants  at  parti-  page. 

cular  seasons,        ------.94 

On  the  clioice  of  roots  for  cultivation  in  a  green-house 

or  light  room,       -------95 

OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  GENERAL  MANAGEMENT  OF  GREEN- 
HOUSE PLANTS. 

The  peculiarities  of  exotic  plants  defined,    -         -         -     97 

Brief  directions  for  the   management  of  green-house 

plants,  -------         -     98 

Hints  furnished  by  an  amateur  for  the  keeping  of  plants 

in  rooms,     --------99 

An  attempt  to  prove  that  Light,  Heat,  Air,  and  Moisture 
are  essential  to  the  preservation  of  plants,  and  that 
water  should  be  applied  in  proportion  as  heat  and 
air  are  attainable,  -         -         -         -         -         -100 

Suggestions  for  providing  suitable  compost,  to  be  used 

in  re-potting  the  various  species  of  plants,    -         -  101 

Catalogue  of  Chrysanthemums,  with  directions  for  their 

cultivation,  -         -  "'      -         -         -         -         -         -  102 

Introduction  to  the  Catalogue  of  Green-house  Plants, 
wherein  the  reader's  attention  is  directed  to  vari- 
ous subjects,         -------  103 

Descriptive  catalogue  of  the  most  esteemed  species  of 

exotic  plants,       -------  104 


OUTLINE  OF  THE  FIRST  PRINCIPLES  OF  HOTICULTURE,  ETC , 
Which  embraces  much  general  information  under  the  following  heads  :    . 

VIII.  Fruit,-        -  -  131 

IX.  Seed,  -         -  -  133 

X.  Sap,    -         -  -  134 

XI.  Air  and  Light,  -  135 

XII.  Perspiration,  -  137 

XIII.  Cuttings,     -  -  138 

XIV.  Scions,          -  -  139 
XV   Transplantation,  -  140 


I.  General  nature  of 

Plants,    - 

-  120 

II.  Root,  - 

-  121 

III.  Stem, 

-  123 

IV.  Leaf-Buds,  - 

-  124 

V.  Leaves, 

-  127 

VI.  Flowers, 

-  128 

VII.  Sexes, 

-  130 

CONTENTS. 


MONTHLY  CALENDAR. 

January. — Reasons  given  why  temperance  in  the  nse  Page. 
of  water  should  be  observed  in  the  cultivation 
of  plants  during  the  winter  season. — Directions  for 
regulating  the  temperature  of  the  room  in  which 
plants  are  kept. — A  brick  flue  recommended  for  the 
purpose  of  heating  a  small  green-house,  &c,         -  142 

February. — Directions  for  cultivating  Camellias  or  Ja- 
pan Roses — Also,  for  the  management  of  such  bul- 
bous roots  as  may  be  in  progress  of  blooming.— 
Several  perennial  plants  enumerated,  which  require 
attention  this  month. — Information  given  how  to 
make  a  hot-bed  for  the  purpose  of  raising  early 
plants, 143 

March. — The  Business  of  this  month  consists  in  attend- 
*  ing  to  Monthly  Roses,  Primroses,  Polyanthus,  Au- 
riculas, English  Spring  Flowers,  Schizanthus,  &c. 
— In  sowing  in  hot-beds  the  seed  of  Dahlia,  Mig- 
nonette, Primula,  and  such  other  species  as  are 
-designated  thus  §  and  thus  t  in  the  Catalogues, 
pages  18  and  30. — The  roots  of  Dahlia,  Amaryllis, 
Gladiolus,  Tiger  Flower,  Tuberose,  &c,  may  be 
planted  in  hot-beds,  to  forward  them  in  growth,    -  146 

April. — Recommendations  on  various  subjects — as,  at- 
tention to  box  edgings,  gravel-walks,  flowering 
shrubs,  herbaceous  plants,  bulbous  rooted  plants, 
Dahlia  roots,  green-house  plants,  &c. — It  is  sug- 
gested to  cultivate  all  the  ground  of  the  garden  this 
month,  if  possible,  and  to  sow  all  the  different 
kinds  of  seed  that.the  season  will  admit  of,      -         -  148 

May. — As  the  warm  weather  progresses,  the  gardener 
is  directed  to  conquer  the  various  kinds  of  insects — 
to  provide  awnings  for  the  protection  of  choice 
flowers — to  set  out  green-house  plants — and  to  in- 
crease their  number  by  propagation  from  cuttings, 
suckers,  seed,  &c,  as  adverted  to  in  the  Calendar,  149 

June. — It  is  recommended  to  water  green-house  plants 
frequently  in  dry,  warm  weather,  to  shade  Hydran- 
geas, Daisies,  Polyanthus,  Primulas,  &c,  from  the 
noonday  sun — to  remove  decayed  plants,  and  to 
replace  them  with  vigorous  ones  from  the  nursery 
bed — to  transplant  annual  flower  plants,  Dahlias, 
&c, 151 


CONTENTS.  XI 

July. — The  gardener  is  reminded  that  this  is  the  proper  Pagw> 
time  for  pruning  Garden  Roses,  and  other  plants — 
Also,  for  budding  Orange  and  Lemon  trees — for 
laying  Carnations,  Pinks,  Pansies,  Running  Verbe- 
nas, &c.,  with  a  view  to  their  propagation — for 
destroying  weeds,  to  prevent  their  seeding  in  the 
ground,  &c.,         -------  153 

August. — Attention  is  directed  to  green-house  plants, 
which  will  need  watering  often — and  toward  the 
end  of  the  month  they  will  require  to  be  replen- 
ished with  fresh  compost,  and  re-potted. — Also,  to 
the  budding  of  Orange  and  Lemon  trees,  if  not 
done  last  month,  -------  154 

September. — It  is  suggested  to  take  up  such  tender  and 
half-hardy  plants  as  were  placed  in  the  earth  of  the 
flower  beds  in  the  spring,  with  a  view  to  their  being 
pruned  and  re-potted. — Also,  to  plant  such  bulbous 
roots  as  are  described  in  the  Calendar,  -         -  155 

October, — In  this  month  the  florist  is  reminded  of  the 
importance  of  housing  all  tender  exotic  plants,  ten- 
der bulbous  and  tuberous  roots,  &c. — Also,  to  the 
planting  of  the  hardy  species  of  bulbous  roots,  in 
flower  beds,  befoie  the  approach  of  severe  frost,    -  l'/6 

November. — During  the  continuance  of  mild  weather, 
it  is  recommended  to  give  air  at  all  opportunities 
to  green-house  plants. — Also,  to  place  half-hardy 
plants  in  frames,  and  cover  up  flower  beds  with 
leaves,  straw,  or  light  litter,  with  a  view  to  their 
preservation' through  the  winter,  -  157 

December. — Constant  care  and  attention  is  recommend- 
ed to  the  situation  of  green-houses  or  rooms  in 
which  plants  are  kept,  which  should  be  so  secure 
as  to  prevent  the  intrusion  of  cold  air,  or  the  es- 
cape of  warm  air  in  the  night  season,  -  159 

The  Matrimonial  Garden,  wherein  the  tempers  and 
dispositions  of  the  mind  are  compared  to  plants, 
which  require  careful  cultivation,  -  160 


• 


■i 


OBSERVATIONS 

ON 

THE   FLOWER    GARDEN 


Previous  to  forming  a  flower  garden,  the  ground  should 
be  made  mellow  and  rich,  by  being  well  pulverized,  manured, 
and  prepared  in  every  respect  as  if  intended  for  a  kitchen 
garden.  A  flower  garden  should  be  protected  from  cold, 
cutting  winds  by  close  fences,  or  plantations  of  shrubs,  form- 
ing a  close  and  compact  hedge,  which  should  be  neatly  trim- 
med every  year.  Generally  speaking,  a  flower  garden  should 
not  be  on  a  large  scale,  and  the  beds  or  borders  should  not 
in  any  part  be  broader  than  the  cultivator  can  reach,  without 
treading  on  them :  the  shape  and  number  of  the  beds  must 
be  determined  by  the  quantity  of  the  ground,  and  the  taste 
of  the  person  laying  out  the  garden. 

Much  of  the  beauty  of  a  pleasure  garden  depends  on  the 
manner  in  which  it  is  laid  out ;  a  great  variety  of  figures 
may  be  indulged  in  for  the  flower  beds.  Some  choose  oval 
or  circular  forms,  others  squares,  triangles,  hearts,  diamonds, 
&c,  intersected  with  winding  grass  paths  and  gravel  walks. 
In  the  design  of  an  ornamental  garden,  nature,  however, 
should  be  imitated  as  closely  as  practicable,  not  only  in  the 
formation  and  regulation  of  the  flower  beds,  but  in  the  adap- 
tation of  each  species  to  its  peculiar  element,  soil,  and  situ- 
ation, taking  into  consideration,  that  the  inmates  of  a  garden, 
constituting  as  they  do  a  mingled  group,  collected  from  all 
the  different  climates  and  soils  of  the  vegetable  creation,  re- 
quire each  its  most  essential  aliment,  to  promote  a  luxuriant 
growth. 

2 


14  OBSERVATIONS    ON   THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Neatness  should  be  the  prevailing  characteristic  of  a  flower 
garden,  which  should  be  so  situated  as  to  form  an  ornamental 
appendage  to  the  house ;  and,  where  circumstances  will  admit, 
placed  before  the  windows  exposed  to  a  southern  or  south- 
eastern aspect.  The  principle  on  which  it  is  laid  out,  ought  to 
be  that  of  exhibiting  a  variety  of  colour  and  form,  so  blended 
as  to  produce  one  beautiful  whole.  In  a  small  flower  garden, 
viewed  from  the  windows  of  a  house,  this  effect  is  best  pro- 
duced by  beds,  or  borders^  formed  side  by  side,  and  parallel 
to  the  windows  whence  they  are  seen,  as  in  that  position  the 
colours  show  to  the  best  advantage.  In  a  retired  part  of  the 
.garden,  a  rustic  seat  may  be  formed,  over  and  around  which 
grape  vines,  or  honeysuckles,  and  other  sweet  and  ornamental 
creepers  and  climbers,  may  be  trained  on  trellises,  which  will 
afford  a  pleasant  rural  retreat. 

In  extensive  pleasure  grounds  a  rockery,  formed  of  rough 
stones,  and  rich  light  soil,  may  be  erected  in  imitation  of  a 
mountain,  on  which  may  be  cultivated  various  plants  natives 
of  mountainous  districts,  and  such  indigenous  plants  "as  are 
calculated  for  the  situation ;  also  herbaceous  plants,  procum- 
bent and  trailing,  such  as  Mesenrbryanthemums,  Climbing 
Cordydalis,  the  various  -species  of  Silene  or  Catch  Fly,  Gyp- 
sophila,  Lotus,  Ricota  or  Syrian  Honesty,  Godetia,  &c.  These 
being  interspersed  with  dwarf  plants  of  different  species,  as 
Mountain  Lychnis,  Violets,  Daisies,  &c.,  and  so  arranged  as 
to  cover  a  great  proportion  of  the  rocky  surface,  must  ne- 
cessarily produce  a  very  pleasing  effect. 

Although  the  greatest  display  is  produced  by  a  general 
flower  garden,  that  is,  by  cultivating  such  a  variety  in  one 
bed  or  border  as  will  insure  an  almost  constant  blooming ;  yet 
bulbous  rooted  plants,  though  essential  to  the  perfection  of  the 
flower  garden,  lose  something  of  their  peculiar  beauty  when 
not  cultivated  by  themselves.  The  extensive  variety  of  bul- 
bous roots  furnishes  means  for  the  formation  of  a  garden, 
the  beauty  of  which,  arising  from  an  intermixture  of  every 
variety  of  form  and  colour,  would  well  repay  the  trouble  of 


OBSERVATIONS  ON   THE   FLOWER  GARDEN.  16 

cultivation,  particularly,  as  by  a  judicious  selection  and  man- 
agement, a  succession  of  bloom  may  "be  kept  up  for  some 
length  of  time.  As,  however,  bulbous  flowers  lose  their  richest 
tints  about  the  time  that  Annuals  begin  to  display  their  beauty, 
there  can  be  no  well-founded  objection  to  the  latter  being 
transplanted  into  the  bulbous  beds,  so  that  the  opening  blos- 
soms of  the  Annuals  may  fill  the  place  of  those  just  withered, 
and  continue  to  supply  the  flower-beds  with  all  the  gayety 
and  splendour  of  the  floral  kingdom. 

The  cultivation  of  Annual  Flowers  is  a  delightful  employ- 
ment, and  well  adapted  to  the  amusement  of  a  lady,  who,  with 
the  assistance  of  a  labourer  to  prepare  the  ground,  may  turn 
a  barren  waste  into  a  beauteous  flower  garden  with  her  own 
hands.  Sowing  the  seed,  transplanting,  watering,  and  train- 
ing the  plants,  tying  them  to  sticks  as  props,  leading  them  over 
trellis- work,  and  gathering  their  seed,  are  all  suitable  feminine 
occupations,  and  from  their  affording  motives  for  exercise  in 
the  open  air,  they  contribute  greatly  to  health  and  tranquillity 
of  mind. 

But  the  taste  of  the  florist  will  be  exercised  to  little  pur- 
pose, in  the  selection  of  Flowers,  if  strict  attention  is  not  paid 
to  the  general  state  of  the  garden.  If  there  are  lawns  or 
grass  walks,  they  should  be  frequently  trimmed,  and  more 
frequently  mowed  and  rolled,  to  prevent  the  grass  from  inter- 
fering with  the  flower-beds,  and  to  give  the  whole  a  neat,  regu- 
lar, carpet-like  appearance.  If  there  are  gravel  walks,  they 
should  be  frequently  cleaned,  replenished  with  fresh  gravel, 
and  rolled.  Box,  and  other  edgings,  should  be  kept  clear  of 
weeds,  and  neatly  trimmed  every  spring.  Decayed  plants 
should  be  removed,  and  replaced  by  vigorous  ones  from  the 
nursery  bed.  Tall  flowering  plants  must  be  supported  by  neat 
poles  or  rods ;  and  all  dead  stalks  and  leaves  from  decayed 
flowers  must  be  frequently  removed. 

In  the  summer  season,  all  kinds  of  insects  must  be  timely 
destroyed,  and  in  the  evenings  of  warm  days,  the  flowers  will 
require  frequent  watering. 


■   :..>.        l»-  16 

INTRODUCTION 

TO    THE 

CATALOGUE  OF  ANNUAL  FLOWER  SEED. 


To  raise  your  flowers,  various  arts  combine ; 
Study  these  well,  and  fancy's  flight  decline. 
If  you  would  have  a  vivid,  vigorous  breed 
Of  every  kind,  examine  well  the  seed  : 
Learn  to  what  Elements  your  plants  belong, 
What  is  their  constitution,  weak  or  strong ; 
Be  their  physician,  careful  of  their  lives, 
And  see  that  every  species  daily  thrives ; 
These  love  much  Air,  these  on  much  Heat  re!, . 
These,  without  genial  Moisture,  droop  and  die- 
Supply  the  wants  of  each,  and  they  will  pay 
For  all  your  care  through  each  succeeding  day. 

With  a  view  to  render  this  work  more  generally  useful 
and  interesting,  a  classification  and  definition  of  the  various 
species  and  varieties  embraced  in  the  annexed  Catalogue, 
are  attempted  to  be  given.  Precision,  however,  in  the  per- 
formance of  this  task  is  impracticable,  as  it  must  be  evident 
that  the  vegetable  family,  having  been  collected  from  every 
variety  of  climate  and  soil,  will  differ  as  to  height,  colour, 
time  of  blossoming,  and  in  many  other  essential  points,  when 
cultivated  out  of  their  natural  Element. 

Some  seed  germinate  in  two  or  three  days  after  having 
been  deposited  in  the  earth ;  others  will  not  exhibit  signs  of 
vegetation  in  as  many  weeks.  These  and  other  distinguish- 
ing features  arise,  in  a  great  measure,  from  their  having 
originated  in  various  soils  and  climates.  Natives  of  cool  or 
temperate  climates  and  moist  soils,  are  generally  tardy  in 
germinating  when  cultivated  in  a  warm  climate  and  dry  soil, 
for  want  of  a  due  share  of  their  most  essential  aliment, 
Moisture;  and  natives  of  warm  climates  and  light  soils 
require  artificial  culture  in  cool  seasons  and  unpropitious 
climates,  in  order  to  their  being  accommodated  with  their 


ANNUAL    FLOWER    SEED.  17 

natural  and  most  important  aliment,  Heat.  Air  also  is  a 
more  necessary  aliment  to  some  species  than  to  others,  but 
these  three  elements  collectively,  constitute  the  food  of  plants 
in  general.  It  may  also  be  observed  that  the  adaptation  of 
plants  to  a  soil  congenial  to  them  is  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance ;  as  plants  will  not  thrive  well  when  improper  food  is 
absorbed  by  their  roots. 

Under  favourable  circumstances,  annuals,  in  general,  will 
produce  their  flower  buds  within  two  months  from  the  period 
of  sowing  the  seed.  Some  species,  soon  after  exhibiting 
their  brilliant  blossoms  and  ripening  their  seed,  disappear, 
while  others  embellish  the  borders  with  a  succession  of  flow 
ers  for  two  or  three  months.  An  assortment  of  seed  judi- 
ciously selected,  and  sown  in  due  season,  will  afford  amuse- 
ment to  the  cultivator  the  greater  part  of  a  summer,  and 
yield  seed  for  the  propagation  of  the  species  in  succeeding 
years,  if  gathered  when  ripe,  and  carefully  preserved. 

Annual  plants  will  grow  from  one  to  four  feet  in  height, 
in  one  uniform  soil  and  situation ;  but  as  these  are  diversified 
in  almost  every  garden,  no  correct  conclusion  can  be  drawn 
in  this  particular  j  an  attempt,  however,  has  been  made  in 
the  annexed  Catalogue,  to  describe  the  various  species  as 
nearly  as  possible,  which  may  serve  as  a  guide  to  the  gardener 
in  planting ;  the  most  dwarfish  being  adapted  to  the  front  or 
outer  edge  of  the  borders,  and  others  in  regular  gradation. 

Those  species  marked  thus  §  are  tender.  Those  marked 
thus  *  should  be  sown  in.  the  spot  where  they  aie  intended 
to  blossom,  as  they  are  apt  to  droop  and  die  by  being  trans- 
planted. A  few  are  marked  thus  t.  These,  though  cultivated 
as  annuals,  from  their  facilities  in  blossoming  and  ripening 
their  seed  the  first  season,  are  in  reality  perennial,  as  are  also 
some  other  varieties  from  warm  climates,  usually  denominated 
annuals  ;  but  as  such  could  not  be  cultivated  at  all  by  those 
who  have  no  means  of  protecting  their  plants  during  our 
severe  winters,  they  may  with  great  propriety  be  treated  as 
tender  annuals,  by  sowing  the  seed  every  spring. 

2* 


18 


A  CATALOGUE  OF  ANNUAL  FLOWER  SEED. 


Graines  de  Jleueres  annuelles. 


§  Denotes  tender,    t  Perennial.    *  Difficult  to  transplant. 


t  Ageratum,  Mexican,  blue, 
Alkekengi,  or  Kite  Flower,  lilac, 
f  Alyssum,  Sweet,  white, 
§  Amaranthus,  three-coloured, 

*  Argemone,  or  Prickly  Poppy,  yel- 

low, cream-coloured,  and  white, 

Aster,  Chinese  and  German,  white, 
red,  striped,  purple,  &c, 

§  Balsams ;  three  species  and  nume- 
rous varieties,  scarlet,  striped,  pur- 
ple, crimson,  white,  &c. 

§  Bartonia,  the  Golden, 

Bladder  Ketmia,  buff,  dark  centre, 

Blue  Bottle,  Great, 

Blue  Bottle,  Small, 

Blumenbachia,  white, 

§  Browallia,  or  Amethyst,  blue,  white, 

§  Cacalia,  scarlet, 

Calliopsis;  Drummond's  Coreopsis, 

Calandrina,  Annual,  crimson, 

+  Calandrina,  rose  and  purple  tinged, 

*  Candytuft,  white  and  purple, 

*  Catch  Fly,  purple  and  red, 

*  Catch  Fly,  dwarf  pink,  spotted,  &c, 

*  Caterpillars,  Hedge-hogs,  &  Snails, 

curious, 
Centaurea,  or  pink  Sultan, 
China  Pink,  of  every  shade, 
§  Cleome,  rose-coloured,  white,  &c, 
Chrysanthemum,  white,  yellow,  and 

three-coloured, 
Clarkia,  rose,  purple,  white,  &c, 
§  Clintonia,  elegant  blue, 
§  Cockscomb,  crimson  and  yellow, 
§  Collinsia,  lilac,  white,  two-coloured, 
fCommelina,  blue-flowering, 

*  Convolvulus,  dwar^  -j ariegated,  &c, 
Coreopsis,  Golden,  onrk  centre, 

§  Cotton  Plant,  cream, 
Crotalaria,  purple,  yellow,  and  white, 
Cuphea,  Mexican,  scarlet,  variegated, 
+  Dahlia,  Mexican,  various, 


Feet  High. 
Ageratum  Mexicana,  1  to  2 

Atropa  physaloides,  3  to  4 

Alyssum  maritima,  1 

Amaranthus  tricolor,  2  to  3 

Argemone,   Mexicana,   grandi- 

Jlora,  ochrolenca,  etc.,  2  to  4 

Aster, Chinensis,  var.  alba,7vbrat 

striata,  purpurea,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Balsamina  hortensis,  Mastersia- 

na,  cornuta,  coccinea,  striata, 

purpurea,  alba,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Bartonia  aurea,  2  to  3 

Hibiscus  trwnum,  1  to  2 

Centaurea  cyanus,  major,  3  to  4 

Centaurea  cyanus,  minor,  1  to  2 
Blumenbachia  insignis,  under  1 
Browallia  elata,  alba,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Cacalia  coccinea,  1  to  2 

Calliopsis  Drummondii,  2  to  3 

Calandrina,  speciosa,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Calandrina  discolor,  etc.,  2  to  3 

Iberis  alba,  purpurea,  etc.,  1 

Silene  purpurea,  muscipula,  etc.  2  to  3 
Silene  Armeria,  picta,  etc,  1  to  2 
Medicago  circinnata,  intertexta, 

scutellata,  etc,  1  to  2 

Centaurea  Americana,  2  to  3 

Dianthus,  Chinensis,  annuus,  1  to  2 
Cleome  rosea,  spinoca,  etc.,  2  to  3 
Chrysanthemum      coronarium, 

alba,  lutea,  tricolor,  etc.,  2  to  3 
Clarkia  elegans,  pulchella,  etc,  1  to  2 
Clintonia  elegans,  1  to  2 

Celocia  cristata,  lutea,  2  to  3 

Collinsia  hetrophilla,  bicolor,  2  to  3 
Commelina  caelestis,  1 

Convolvulus  minor,  bicolor,  etc.  1  to  2 
Calliopsis  tinctoria,  2  to  3 

Gcssypium  herbaceum,  3  to  4 

Crotalaria  verrucosa,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Cuphea  lanceolata,  silenoiaes,  1  to  2 
Dahlia  superflua,  3  to  6 


ANNUAL    FLOWER    SEED. 


19 


§  Denote  fender.       t  Perennial.       *  Difficult  to  transplant 

Feet  high. 
Devil  in  the  Bush,  or  Love  in  a  Mist,  Nigella  damascena,  Hispanica, 


orientalis,  sativa,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Nigella  nana,  1 

Mesembryanthemum  glabrum,  1  to  2 


Didiscus  ccemleus, 
Solanum  melongena, 
Erissimum  perofskianum, 


2  to  3 
1  to  2 
lto2 

1 


blue,  yellow,  purple,  white,  &c. 
Dwarf  Love  in  a  Mist,  various, 
f  Dew  Plant,  crimson, 
+  Didiscus,  azure  blue, 
§  Egg-plant,  white,  for  ornament, 
Erissimum,  orange, 

+  Escholtzia,  or  Chryseis,  yellow,  red,  Escholtzia,  crocea,  cristata, 

and  orange,  Califomica,  etc., 

Eternal  Flower,  yellow,  purple,  and  Xeranthemum  lucidum,  var,  lu- 

white,                                         .  tea,  bracteatum,  alba,             2  to  3 

Euphorbia,  variegated,  Euphorbia  variegata,                   2  to  3 

•Evening  Primrose,  dwarf  annual,  (E not her a  linearis,  Drummondii, 

white,  yellow,  red,  &c,  tetraptera,  micrantha,  etc.,     1  to  2 

*  Evening  Primrose,  large  yellow,  (Enothera  grandijlora, 

*  Evening  Primrose,  willowleaved,  (Enothera  salicifolia, 
Feather  Grass,  Stipa  pinnata,  avenacea, 
♦Flos  Adonis,or  Pheasant  Eye,  red,  Adonis  minata, 
+  Francoa,  pink  and  purple,  Francoa  appendiculata, 
§Galardia,  orange  and  crimson,  Galardia  picta, 
Garidella,  Nigella  like,  Garidella  nigellastrtcm, 
Gilia,  blue,  pink,  variegated,  &c,  Gilia  capitata,  tricolor,  etc, 
§  Globe  Amaranthus,  crimson,  white,  Gomphrena  globosa, 
Grove  Love,  blue,  Nemophila  insignis, 
+  Godetia  the  Twiggy,  purple,  Godetia  vimine.a, 
Godetia  the  Ruddy,  annual,  Godetia  rubricunda, 
Godetia,  dwarf,  purple,  and  spotted,  Godetia  lepida,  Lyndley ana,  etc 


*  Gypsophila,  pink  and  white, 
Hawkweed,  yellow  and  red, 

§  Hibiscus,  yellow,  reddish  centre, 

*  Horned  Poppy,  yellow  and  scarlet 
f  Hunnemania,  brilliant  yellow, 
Hypecoum,  three  species,  yellow, 

§  Ice  Plant,  white, 

■f  Jacobea,  purple,  spotted,  &c, 

Job's  Tears,  gray, 


2  to  3 

3  to  4 
lto2 

1  to2 
J  to  2 
lto2 
lto2 
lto2 
lto2 

1 
3  to  4 

2  to  3 
lto2 
1  to  2 

1  to  2 

2  to  3 


Gypsnphila  elegans,  viscosa. 
Crepis  bar  bat  a  rubra, 
Hibiscus  Africanus, 
Glauceum  luteum,  phoeniceum,  2  to  3 
Hunnemania  famerix,  folia.,  3  to  4 
Hypecoum  procumbens,  etc.,  1  to  2 
Mesembryanthemum,  var.  1 

Senecio  purpurea,  elegans,  etc.,  1  to  2 


Coix  lachryma  Jobi,  2  to  3 

Larkspur,  dwarf  Rocket,  white,  blue,  Delphinium  ajacis,  alba,  coeru- 

purple,  pink,  and  other  colours,         lea,  purpurea,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Larkspur,  branching,  various  colours,  Delphinium  consolida,  etc.,  2  to  3 
Lavatera,  red,  purple,  and  white,  Lavafera,  trimestris,  alba,  etc.,  4  to  6 
Love  lies  bleeding,  crimson,  Amaranthus  melancholicus,       1  to  2 

Lunaria,  purple.  Lunaria  purpurea,  lto2 

•Lupins,  dwarf  annual,  yellow,  pur-  Lupinus  nanus,  densiflorus,  bi- 


ple,  rose,  two-coloured,  &c, 
Malesherbia,  blue, 

*  Malope,  tall  scarlet,  &&, 

•  Malope,  dwarf  crimson,  rose, 
Marigold,  African,  yellow,  orange, 


color,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Malesherbia  coronal  a,  2  to  3 

Malope  grandijlora,  etc.,  3  to  4 

Malope  irifida,  malacoides,  1  to  2 

Tagetes  eredat  3  to  4 


20 


ANNUAL    FLOWER    SEED. 


§  Denotes  tender.       t  Perennial.       *  Difficult  to  transplant 


Marigold,  French,  variegated, 
Marigold,  sweet,  yellow  striped, 
§  Marigold,  Fig,  yellow, 
Martynia,  or  Cuckold's  Horn, 
+  Marvel  of  Peru,  or  Four  O'Clocks, 

white,  yellow,  red,  striped  scented, 
+  Mignonette,  sweet  scented, 
+  Monkey  Flower,   yellow,  scarlet, 

rose,  &c,  variegated, 
4  Nierembergia,  several  varieties  of 

various  colours. 
Nolana,  in  varieties,  blue, 

*  Oats,  animated,  green, 

f  Pansy,  or  Heart's  Ease,  purple, 
blue,  yellow,  and  numerous  shades, 
variegated, 

Pentaptes,  scarlet, 

PTiIox,  annual,  rosy  red,  &c. 

Pimpernel,  blue  and  scarlet, 

*  Poppy,  large  white  and  scarlet, 

*  Poppy,  dwarf,  scarlet,  white,  yel- 

low, striped,  Persian  red,  &c, 
Portulaca,  two  var.,  purple,  scarlet, 
Prince's  Feather,  crimson, 
Rocket  Candytuft,  white,  &&, 
Rose  Campion,  annual,  dwarf  red, 

purple,  white,  striped,  &c 
Salpiglossis,  variegated,  purple,  &c, 
Saphonaria,  or  Silene,  rose, 
t  Schizanthus,  in  variety,  orange, 

wing-leaved,  &c, 
§  Sensitive  Plant,  red, 
Shortia,  yellow, 

§  Stevia,  Vanilla  scented,  white 
Stock  Gilly,  Virginian,  lilac, 
Strawberry  Spinach,  red  fruit, 
Strephtanthus,  rose-coloured, 
Sunflower,  yellow, 
Sunflower,  dwarf,  yellow, 
Sun  Rose,  spotted, 

*  Sweet  Balm,  blue, 

*  Sweet  Basil,  blush,  lilac, 

Sweet  Sultan,  white,  yellow,  purple, 

*  Ten  Week  Stock,  scarlet,  purple, 
white,  &c, 

§  Tobacco  in  varieties,  scarlet,  yellow, 
Touch  me  not,  yellow,  [&c, 

Trefoil,  crimson  and  scented, 


Feet  high. 
Tagetes  patula,  2  to  3 

Calendula  officinalis,  1  to  2 

Mesembryanthemum  annuus,  1 

Martynia  proboscidea,  2  to  3 

Mirabilis  jalapa,  lutea,   rubra, 

striata,  longifiora,  etc.,  2  to  3 

Reseda  odorata,  under       1 

Mimulus  moschatus,  cardinalis, 

rivularius,  roseus,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Nierembergia  intermedia,  viola- 

cea,  Phoenicia,  etc.,  2  to  3 

Nolanaparadoxia,prostrata,  etc  1  to  2 
Avena  sensitiva,  2  to  3 

Viola  tricolor,  grandiflora,  atro, 

purpurea,  ccerulea,  lutea,  etc., 

under       1 
Pentaptes  Phoenicia,  1  to  2 

Phlox  Drummondii,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Anagallis  indica,  arvensis,  1 

Papaver  somniferum,  coccinea,  3  to  4 
Papaver  rhoeas,  nudicale,  Persi- 

cum,  rubra,  striata,  etc.,  1  to  2 
Portulaca  splendens,  coccinea,  1 
Amaranthus  hypocondriacus,  2  to  3 
Iberis  coronaria,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Agrostemma  coeli,  rosea,  githago, 

lad  a,  etc.,  1 

Salpiglossis,  atro  purpurea,       2  to  3 
Saphonaria  vaccaria,  2  to  3 

Schizanthus  retusus,  pinnatus, 

obtusifolia,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Mimoso  sensitiva,  under       1 

Shortia  Californica,  1  to  2 

Stevia  serrata,  1  to  2 

Malcomia  maritima,  1 

Blitum  capitatum,  1  to  2 

Streptanthus  obtusifolius,  2  to  3 

Helianthus  annuus,  6  to  8 

Helianthus  minor,  nanus,  2  to  3 

Helianthemum  guttatum,  1  to  2 

Melissa  odoratum,  1  to  2 

Ocymum  basiliacum,  1  to  2 

Centaurea  moschata,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Mathiola  annua  varieties  groe- 

ca,  tenella,  etc.,  1  to  2 

Nicotiana,  tabacum,  rustica,      3  to  4 
Noli  mi  tangere,  l 

Trifolium  inearnatum,  etc.,      3  to  4 


ANNUAL    FLOWER    SEED. 


21 


5  Demotes  tender.       t  Perennial. 


Difficult  to  transplant 


Feet  high. 
*  Venus's  Looking-Glass,  lilac,  Campanula  speculum,  1  to  2 

Vesicaria,  in  varieties,  yellow,  Vesicaria  grandijlora,  etc.,         2  to  3 

f  Verbena,  in  varieties,  scarlet,  rose,  Verbena   aubletia,    bonariensis, 

blue,  lilac,  pink,  &c,  Brummondii,  pulchella,  etc.,  1  to  3 

Zinnia,  scarlet,  yellow,  violet-colour-  Zinnia  coccinea,  latea,  grandi- 

ed,  red,  &c,  flora,  rubra,  etc.,  2  to  3 

The  following  are  climbing  and  trailing  plants,  which  should 
be  planted  in  situations  where  they  can  be  supported  by  poles, 
twine,  or  trellises. 

The  tallest  growing  vines  and  creepers  are  best  adapted 
to  the  covering  of  arbours,  to  create  shade,  or  conceal  any 
unsightly  object ;  the  procumbent  trailing  and  low  climbing 
plants,  such  as  the  Nasturtium,  Loasa,  Petunia,  Sweet  Pea, 
&c,  may  be  trained  on  trellis-work  of  an  ornamental  form,  as 
that  of  a  fan,  balloon,  or  pyramid,  which  should  be  on  a  scale 
corresponding  to  the  situation  and  extent  of  the  garden. 

Feet  high. 
Cardiospermum  halicacabum,over  10 


Balloon  Vine,  or  Love  in  a  Puff, 

§  Balsam  Apple  and  Pear, 

Bean  Hyacinth,  white  and  purple, 

§  Bean,  scarlet  flowering, 

Bean,  Castor  Oil,  or  Palma  Christi, 

§  Cypress  Vine,  scarlet  and  white, 

Gourd,  Mock  Orange,  m  varieties, 

Gourd,  the  Bottle,  in  varieties, 

§  Loasa  or  Chilian  Nettle,  orange, 

Maurandia,  blue, 

§  Morning  Glory,  scarlet  striped,  &c, 

Morning  Glory,  of  the  Convolvulus 

tribe,  purple,  striped,  yellow,  pink, 

white,  &c, 
Nasturtium,    orange   and    crimson, 

variegated, 
§Thunbergia,  wing-leaved,   purple, 
f  Petunia,  purple,  white,  rose,  &c, 
Sweet   Peas,   various  complexions, 

white,  purple,  red,  rose,  striped,  &c 


Momordica  balsamina,  over  10 

Bolichos  alba,  purpurea,  over  10 

Phaseolus  multiflorus,  over  10 

Ricinus  communis,  5  to  6 

Ipomoea  coccinea,  alba,  over  10 

Cucurbita  bicolor,  aurantia,  over  10 
Cucurbita  lagenaria,  elevata,  10 
Loasa  lateritia,  aurantiaca,  etc.,  3  to  6 
Maurandia  Barclayana,  over  10 

Ipomoea  coccinea,  striata,  etc., over  Id 
Convolvulus   major,  purpurea, 

coerulea,  striata,  lutea,  incar- 

nata,  alba,  etc.,  over  10 

Tropceolum      atrosanguineum, 

nana,  etc.,  4  to  6 

Thunbergia  alata,  etc.,  4  to  6 

Petunia  nyctaginiflora,  etc.,  2  to  3 
Lathyrus  odoratus,    var.  alba, 

purpurea,  rosea,  striata,  etc.,  3  to  4 


As  many  city  gardens  are  so  limited  as  not  to  admit  of  au 
extensive  assortment  of  flowers,  a  select  list  may  be  made 
from  the  above  catalogue,  to  suit  the  taste  of  such  as  may  be 
so  situated;  and  amateurs,  who  cultivate  on  a  larger  scale, 


22  ANNUAL   FLOWER   SEED. 

can  obtain  such  additional  sorts  as  may  be  desired  at  the 
different  seed  stores,  under  their  various  names. 

Previous  to  providing  annual  flower  seed,  the  cultivator 
should  lay  out  a  plan  of  his  garden,  and  in  making  allotments 
of  ground  for  any  particular  purpose,  provision  should  be 
made  for  a  select  assortment  of  such  bulbous,  tuberous,  and 
perennial  plants,  as  may  be  deemed  most  worthy  of  attention, 
not  forgetting  to  leave  room  for  some  of  the  choicest  varieties 
of  the  Dahlia,  the  qualities  of  which  will  be  described  hereafter. 

Another  consideration  is,  to  have  at  hand  suitable  imple- 
ments, so  that  the  work  may  be  performed  in  a  skillful  man 
ner,  and  at  the  proper  season.  A  spade,  rake,  hoe,  trowel, 
drilling  machine,  and  pruning  knife,  may  be  deemed  essen 
tial ;  and  in  order  to  have  the  beds  laid  out,  with  the  edges 
straight  and  even,  a  garden  line  should  be  in  readiness.  If 
labels  should  be  required,  they  may  be  made  of  shingles, 
which  being  split  into  strips  about  an  inch  wide,  and  sharp- 
ened at  one  end,  will  serve  for  marking  distinct  kinds,  either 
in  pots,  or  on  the  borders.  In  order  to  have  the  names  or 
numbers  written  in  legible  characters,  the  labels  should  be 
painted  on  the  smooth  side  with  white  lead,  and  then  marked 
with  a  black  lead  pencil  before  the  paint  gets  dry ;  inscrip- 
tions made  in  this  way  will  be  as  durable  as  the  label  itself. 

The  next,  and  perhaps  the  most  important  consideration, 
is,  to  have  the  ground  in  good  condition  to  receive  the  seed. 
In  order  to  attain  this  desirable  object,  let  some  good  rich 
compost,  or  very  old  manure,  be  provided  and  well  mixed 
with  the  soil ;  dig  it  a  full  spit  deep,  pulverizing  every  parti- 
cle. It  would  be  an  advantage  if  the  ground  could  be  dug 
to  a  great  depth  at  the  clearing  up  of  winter,  and  then  again 
at  the  period  of  sowing  seed  in  the  Spring  : 

"  I  come,  I  come — ye  have  called  me  long — 
I  come  o'er  the  mountains  with  light  and  song! 
Ye  may  trace  my  steps  o'er  the  wakening  earth, 
By  the  winds  which  tell  of  the  Violet's  birth, 
By  the  Primrose-stars  in  the  shadowy  grass, 
By  the  green  leaves  opening  as  I  pass." 


ANNUAL    FLOWER   SEED, 


23 


A  mellow  loam,  which  is  a  medium  earth  between  the 
extremes  of  clay  and  sand,  enriched  with  pulverized  manure 
or  compost,  is  adapted  to  the  generality  of  flowering  plants  ; 
ground,  however,  •  of  a  boggy  nature,  composed  of  black 
earth,  decayed  leaves,  &c,  and  in  a  low  situation,  is  essen- 
tial to  the  luxuriant  growth  of  amphibious  plants,  as  Water 
Lilies,  Iris,  Lobelia,  and  the  like ;  but  as  the  cultivator  has 
not  always  a  choice,  he  may  select  such  plants  only  as  are 
most  congenial  to  his  peculiar  soil  and  situation. 

Previous  to  digging  flower  beds  or  borders,  care  must  be 
taken  that  they  are  so  arranged  that  the  ground  may  be  a 
little  elevated  in  the  middle ;  this  is  essential  to  the  draining 
off  of  a  redundancy  of  water,  as  well  as  to  the  exhibition  of 
plants  to  the  greatest  possible  advantage. 

All  kinds  of  annual  flower  seed  may  be  sown  in  the  months 
of  April  and  May,  on  borders  or  beds  of  pulverized  earth ; 
the  beds  should  be  levelled,  and  the  seed  sown  either  in  small 
patches,  each  kind  by  itself,  or  in  drills,  from  an  eighth  to 
half  an  inch  deep,  according'  to  the  size  or  nature  of  the 
seed.  Lupins,  Peas,  &c,  should  be  planted  about  half  an 
inch  deep.  Those  who  would  have  their  plants  flower  early, 
should  sow  the  hardy  kinds  the  last  week  in  March,  or  early 
in  April.  Those  varieties  marked  thus  t,  and  thus  §,  may 
be  sown  in  boxes,  or  pots  of  light  earth,  at  the  same  time. 
These,  if  exposed  to  the  sun  every  day,  and  sheltered  in 
cold  nights,  will  be  forwarded  in  growth,  and  be  fit  to  trans- 
plant early  in  June.  Those  marked  *  may  also  be  sown  in 
small  pots ;  and  as  these  plants  will  not  bear  transplanting, 
they  should  be  turned  out  of  the  pots  with  the  balls  of  earth 
entire,  and  placed  in  the  ground  where  they  are  intended 
to  flower  ;  or,  if  the  seed  be  sown  in  a  bed  with  other  kinds, 
they  should  be  carefully  transplanted  with  a  trowel,  without 
disturbing  their  roots. 

The  most  eligible  way  to  obtain  early  flowers  istopiepare 
a  slight  hot-bed  for  the  tender  kinds,  (see  Calendar  for  Janu- 
ary,) and  either  plunge  the  pots  therein  up  to  their  brims, 


24  ANNUAL    FLOWER   SEED. 

or  sow  the  seed  in  the  earth  in  shallow  drills,  not  more  than 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  deep.  It  may  be  necessary  to  state, 
that  although,  in  favourable  seasons,  flower  seed  in  general 
will  come  up  in  from  one  to  three  weeks  after  it  is  sown, 
the  seed  of  the  Cypress  vine  will  not  grow  until  settled  warm 
weather,  unless  in  a  hot-bed ;  it  should  be  soaked  for  about 
half  an  hour  in  moderately  warm  water,  previous  to  being 
sown. 

If  some  of  the  hardy  annuals  be  sown  in  September,  they 
will  grow  large  enough  to  survive  the  winter,  if  slightly 
covered  with  straw  or  litter  ,•  and  if  plants  thus  raised  be 
transplanted  early  in  the  spring,  they  will  produce  very  early 
flowers.     The  following  are  some  of  the  hardiest : 

Alyssum,  Sweet.  Evening  Primrose. 

Coreopsis,  or  Calliopsis.  Lai'kspur,  in  varieties. 

China  Aster,  in  varieties.  Pansy,  or  Heart's  Ease. 

Catch  Fly.  Poppy,  in  varieties. 

Chrysanthemum,  in  varieties.  Rocket  Larkspur. 

To  prevent  disappointment,  I  would  recommend  that  great 
care  be  taken  to  keep  the  seed  beds  as  clear  from  weeds  as 
possible.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  young  plants  are  apt  to 
get  smothered,  and  sometimes  pulled  up  with  weeds.  To 
obviate  this,  I  would  suggest  that  the  seed  be  sown  in  shallow 
drills,  each  kind  by  itself,  and  that  an  account  be  kept  of  the 
contents  of  each  drill  in  a  book ;  also  of  all  seed  that  are 
sown  at  different  times ;  and  by  being  particular  in  the  dates, 
you  may  always  know  when  to  expect  your  plants  to  come 
tip.  Those  persons  totally  unacquainted  with  plants,  will, 
by  this  means,  be  enabled  to  identify  each  particular  kind, 
and  thus  become  familiarly  acquainted  with  them.*     In  order 

*  Lest  the  reader  should  think  that  the  author  is  here  shifting  his  own 
duty  and  responsibility  on  the  cultivator,  it  may  be  necessary  to  observe 
that  a  definition  of  all  the  peculiar  qualities,  forms,  attitudes,  and  habits 
of  growth,  of  the  numerous  species  and  varieties  of  plants  embraced  in  an 
extensive  catalogue,  with  minute  directions  for  the  most  appropriate  culture 
of  each,  would  alone  occupy  more  space  than  is  allotted  to  this  treatise  ; 
and  that  to  expatiate  on  all  the  various  features  of  the  floral  kingdom  is  a 


ANNUAL    FLOWER    SEED.  25 

that  this  may  be  rendered  plain  to  my  readers,  I  shall  adopt 
the  following  plan  of  entry  of  six  kinds  sown  in  pots,  and 
six  in  the  open  ground  : 

April  20,  sowed  flower  seed  in  pots. 

Pot  marked  A,  or  1,  Amaranthus  tricolor. 

"  B,  or  2,  Balsamines. 

"  C,  or  3,  Cockscomb. 

"  D,  or  4,  Egg  Plant. 

"  E,  or  5,  Ice  Plant. 

*'  F,  or  6,  Mignonette. 

These  pots  may  be  either  marked  with  letters  01  figures 
on  the  outside,  to  answer  with  the  book,  or  notches  may  be 
cut  in  wood,  or  other  labels  affixed  to  the  pots,  and  entered 
accordingly. 

April  30,  sowed  flower  seed  in  drills,  as  under : 

No.  1,  Bladder  Ketmia. 

u  2,  Coreopsis  Tinctoria. 

*«  3,  Yellow  Eternal  Flower. 

"  4,  Globe  Amaranthus. 

"  5,  Princes'  Feather.                                       <» 

"  6,  Larkspur,  branching. 

If  these  numbers  be  continued  to  100,  or  even  1,000,  there 
can  be  no  mistake,  provided  the  rows  are  all  marked  accord- 
ing to  the  entry  in  the  book ;  or  if  No.  1  be  noted,  plain 
sticks  will  answer  afterward,  if  one  be  stuck  at  each  end  of 
every  row.  In  this  case  it  would  be  well  to  leave  a  space 
every  ten  or  twenty  rows,  and  note  the  number  of  rows ;  by 
this  means,  they  can  be  more  easily  traced. 

task  which  no  author  has  ever  attempted ;  nor  can  any  library  be  found 
containing  such  a  desideratum. 

The  cultivator  of  a  small  garden  may,  however,  by  means  of  a  memo- 
randum book,  describe  the  peculiarities  of  such  plants  as  come  under  his 
special  care,  as  upright,  procumbent,  trailing,  climbing,  bushy,  slender- 
stalked,  herbaceous,  shrubby,  &c,  and  thus  learn  how  to  cultivate  and 
arrange  the  same,  or  similar  plants,  advantageously  in  succeeding  years  ; 
and  it  must  be  admitted  that  a  few  flowers,  selected  so  as  to  harmonize  in 
their  colours  and  habits  of  growth,  cultivated  with  precision,  as  respects 
soil  and  situation  congenial  to  them,  and  trained  and  pruned  into  regular 
and  compact  shapes,  will  yield  more  pleasure  and  amusement  than  three 
times  the  number  taken  promiscuously  and  cultivated  under  one  uniform 
treatment,  as  is  the  general,  though  not  most  judicious,  practice 

3 


26  ANNUAL    FLOWER    SEED. 

Some  species  of  Dwarf  Annuals,  such  as  Sweet  Alyssum, 
Candytuft,  Clarkia  Pulchella,  Mignonette,  Pimpernell,  and 
such  others  as  grow  not  over  a  foot  in  height,  may  be  culti- 
vated in  small  beds,  either  separate  or  two  or  three  kinds 
mixed  together.  Clarkia  Pulchella  suits  very  well  with 
Mignonette,  as  it  will  thrive  in  moderately  poor  soil,  which  is 
the  best  adapted  for  that  plant  when  fragrance  is  an  object.* 

The  best  way  to  manage  the  mixed  species,  is  to  level  a 
narrow  border  of  rather  poor  soil,  and  sow  it  all  over  with 
Mignonette,  then  with  Clarkia  Pulchella ;  when  the  plants 
are  up,  both  kinds  should  be  thinned  out  equally,  so  as  to 
leave  the  plants  from  one  to  two  inches  apart  all  over  the 
bed ;  these,  when  they  come  into  blossom,  will  form  a  rich 
mass,  and  have  a  very  pretty  effect,  the  bushiness  of  the 
Mignonette  hiding  the  naked  stalks  of  the  Clarkia.  The 
White  Alyssum  and  Purple  Candytuft  form  a  pleasing  con- 
trast when  mixed  in  equal  proportions,  and  also  the  Dwarf 
Gilia  and  Blue  Pimpernell. 

The  new  species  of  Dwarf  Annual  Phlox,  (Phlox  Drum- 
mondii,)  is  described  in  a  London  Magazine  as  a  splendid 
sight  when  cultivated  in  a  bed.  *  Every  flower,  though  of 
the  deepest  carmine,  has  its  petals  of  a  pale  blush  colour  on 
the  under  side,  and  every  petal,  though  of  the  palest  junk, 
has  a  dark  carmine  spot  at  its  base.  Thus  the  variety  of 
colours  displayed  in  a  bed  of  these  flowers,  almost  exceeds 
description  ;  and  when  they  are  seen  under  a  bright  sun,  and 
agitated  by  a  gentle  breeze,  the  effect  is  extraordinarily 
brilliant." 

When  seed  are  intended  to  be  sown  in  patches,  which  is 
often  done  for  want  of  an  unoccupied  border,  the  best  way 

*  The  reason  that  some  Mignonette  has  scarcely  any  scent  is,  because 
the  soil  in  which  it  is  cultivated  is  too  rich  ;  and  this  leads  me  to  remark 
farther,  that  what  some  call  Tree  Mignonette,  and  admire  on  account  of  its 
fragrance,  is  not  a  distinct  variety,  but  the  ordinary  kind,  cultivated  as  a 
perennial  plant.  It  may  be  propagated  by  cuttings,  and  trained  so  as  to 
form  a  tree  ;  which  being  transplanted  into  poor  ground,  will  yield  more 
fragrance  than  when  grown  as  an  annual  in  a  rich  compost 


ANNUAL    FLOWER   SEED. 


27 


..•>  perform  this  business  is,  after  having  pulverized  the  soil, 
to  impress  circular  drills  in  the  surface  with  the  rim  of  a 
flower  pot,  which  may  be  large  or  small,  according  to  fancy. 
By  sowing  seed  in  such  circular  drills,  the  plants  can  be  more 
easily  traced  than  when  scattered  promiscuously  oyer  the 
ground,  and  the  weeds  can  be  destroyed  with  less  risk  and 
trouble.  Such  kinds  as  are  marked  in  the  Catalogue  thus  * 
may  remain  as  sown,  or,  if  parted,  they  should  be  removed 
with  a  scoop  trowel  in  a  careful  manner,  in  small  tufts  ;  and 
this  business,  as  well  as  transplanting  in  general,  should 
always  be  done  immediately  preceding  or  after  rain,  and  in 
cloudy  weather.f 

Herbaceous  plants  in  general  will  not  flower  well  if  grown 
in  clusters;  they  should,  therefore,  be  thinned  or  trans- 
planted into  the  regular  beds,  at  all  favourable  opportunities, 
after  they  get  about  an  inch  in  height ;  and  as  there  is  always 
a  risk  of  some  plants  not  taking  root,  it  is  safest  to  plant  a 
few  of  each  sort  every  time,  taking  care  to  diversify  the 
colours,  and  also  to  leave  a  few  plants  in  the  seed  beds,  for 
the  purpose  of  substituting  in  the  room  of  such  plants  whose 
period  of  flowering  may  be  over ;  as  is  the  case  generally 
with  early  Perennial  plants  and  bulbs,  at  about  the  season 
that  the  last  of  the  Annuals  are  fit  to  remove. 

The  transplanting  may  be  done  with  a  small  trowel,  or  a 
neat  dibble  made  for  the  purpose. 


t  The  risk  and  trouble  of  transplanting  may  be  avoided  by  adopting  the  fol- 
lowing method  of  sowing  the  seed.  Take  a  dollar  package  of  twenty  varieties, 
and  number  the  bags  from  one  to  twenty  ;  then  sow  a  circle  from  each  bag 
in  the  order  in  which  they  are  numbered,  and  insert  a  short  stick  in  the 
centre  of  each  circle  as  a  mark.  By  this  method  the  twenty  varieties  are 
distributed  along  the  border  in  succession,  and  as  each  bag  will  be  sufficient 
for  three  circles,  sixty  circles,  or  three  assortments  of  twenty  varieties,  may 
be  sown  in  three  different  aspects  of  the  garden,  which  will  not  only  give 
the  various  flowers  the  best  possible  chance  with  regard  to  exposure,  but 
show  the  varieties  to  the  greatest  possiMe  advantage.  By  preserving  the 
bags,  the  mere  novice,  by  referring  to  the  name  .and  number  on  each,  will 
become  acquainted  with  the  different  varieties,  from  the  order  in  which  they 
stand  in  his  garden.  This  system  may  be  practised  to  advantage  either  on 
a  large  or  small  scale. 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS 


TO    THE    CATALOGUE    OF 


BIENNIAL  AND  PERENNIAL  FLOWER  SEED. 


The  remarks  preceding  our  Catalogue  of  Annuals  will, 
with  few  exceptions,  apply  to  that  of  Biennials  and  Peren- 
nials; and  it  may  be  observed  farther,  that  the  circulation  of 
the  sap  in  the  roots  and  stalk  of  plants  is  influenced  by  like 
causes,  and  subject  to  the  same  vicissitudes,  as  the  germin- 
ation of  seed,  which  principle  is  exemplified  by  some  plants 
of  various  species  putting  forth  their  leaves  and  flowers  at  a 
later  period  than  others  in  the  same  location,  as  if  waiting 
for  nature  to  replenish  the  earth  with  food  adapted  to  their 
respective  requirements;  which,  by  the  gradual  changes  from 
cool  to  temperate,  and  from  that  to  warm  weather,  is  effected 
to  that  degree  as  to  enable  all  the  various  species  of  plants, 
collected  from  every  climate  and  soil  under  the  sun,  to  reward 
the  industrious  cultivator  by  a  gradual  exhibition  of  their  fasci- 
nating blossoms,  and  a  distribution  of  their  odoriferous  sweets, 
throughout  the  three  propitious  seasons  of  the  year,  i.  e.% 
spring,  summer,  and  autumn. 

In  distinguishing  between  Biennials  and  Perennials,  I  have 
only  marked  such  as  are  apt  to  die  after  once  blossoming, 
and  which  can  only  be  renewed  from  seed.  Some  of  those 
species,  frequently  classed  with  Biennials,  as  Jlquilegia  or 
Columbines,  Dianthus,  &c,  are  in  reality  Perennial,  and 
may  be  easily  perpetuated  from  year  to  year,  by  suckers,  lay- 
ers, or  any  of  the  Ordinary  methods  of  propagation ;  and  here 
I  would  observe,  that  frequent  renewal  of  the  roots  of  Per 
ennials  is  absolutely  necessary  to  their  prosperity  or  very 
existence;  and  also  that  many  species  are  by  nature  best 


BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    FLOWERS.  29 

adapted  for  propagation  at  the  footstalks,  from  their  yielding 
little  or  no  seed  at  the  top  of  the  plant.  This  is  particularly 
the  case  with  choice  double-flowering  plants,  the  roots  of 
which,  in  .many  cases,  constitute  the  seed;  these,  consequently, 
must  be  perpetuated  by  root  offsets,  cuttings,  &c. 

The  annexed  Catalogue  embraces  a  great  proportion  of 
the  most  desirable  of  what  are  termed  fibrous-rooted  herba- 
ceous plants ;  the  seed  or  roots  of  which  may  be  obtained  at 
seed  stores  and  nurseries.  The  estimated  height  applies  to 
plants  of  a  year's  growth;  some  will  arrive  to  more  than 
three  times  that  height  when  cultivated  in  a  greenhouse,  and 
even  in  open  ground  culture  the  same  plants  will  vary  con- 
siderably, according  to  the  soil  or  situation  in  which  they  are 
grown ;  the  specified  height  however,  although  unavoidably 
imperfect,  may  serve  as  a  guide  to  the  gardener  in  arranging 
his  flower  beds.  Those  marked  thus  f ,  be^ng  tender  and  half 
hardy,  will  need  protection  in  the  winter;  those  marked  thus  j] 
are  Biennial ;  those  marked  thus  *  yield  little  or  no  seed. 
There  are  also  many  other  species  of  which  the  seed  is  un- 
attainable, from  its  being  suffered  to  scatter  by  the  wind,  and 
in  some  cases,  from  the  climate  being  unfavourable  to  its 
ripening ;  these,  as  will  be  shown  hereafter,  may  be  perpetu- 
ated by  other  methods. 


30 


A    CATALOGUE 


BIENNIAL  AND  PERENNIAL  FLOWER  SEED 
Graines  de  Jleurs  bisannuelles  et  vivaces. 


t  Denotes  tender. 


Biennial.       *  Seed  unattainable. 


Adonis,  Spring-flowering,  yellow, 

Alpine  Columbine,  purple, 

Alyssum,  yellow, 

Asclepias,  orange,  purple,  &c, 

Asiatic  Globe  Flower,  yellow, 

t  Auricula,  variegated, 

fBalm  of  Gilead,  fragrant, 

Bee  Larkspur,  blue  and  brown, 

Bergamot,  crimson,  blue, 

*t Canary  Aster,  purple,  • 

fCalceolaria,  various  colours, 

Campanula  Peren.,  blue,  white,  &c, 

IJCanterbury  Bells,  blue,  white, 

fCaper  Tree,  green, 

Cardinal  Flower,  in  varieties,  scarlet, 

Cassia,  Maryland,  yellow, 

fCarnation  Pink,  various  colours, 

*tCelcia,  red  and  yellow,  variegated, 

Chinese  Imperial  Pink,  variegated, 

fChinese  Primrose,  lilac,  white, 

fCistus,  yellow, 

fClandanthus,  white, 

•J-Clerodendron,  scarlet, 

Clove  Imperial  Pink,  crimson, 

fColutea,  scarlet, 

*  Coreopsis,  Perennial,  in  varieties, 

yellow, 
*fCoronilla,  yellow, 
♦Coronet,  or  double  Lychnis,  scarlet, 
HClary,  purple-topped, 
Columbine,  various  colours, 
*fDaisy,  Garden,  various  colours, 
Dragon's  Head,  bluish  pink, 
Dragon's  Head,  purple  and  striped, 
European  Globe  Flower,  yellow, 
|| Evening  Primrose,  yellow, 
Eupatorium,  blue,  white, 
flFox-glove,  purple,  white, 


Adonis  vernalis, 
Aquilegia  alpina, 
Alyssum  saxatile, 
Asclepias  incarnata,  etc., 
Trollius  Asiaticus, 
Primula  auricula, 


Feet  high 

2  to  3 

lto2 

1 

2  tb  3 

3  to  4 
under       1 


Dracocephalum  canariense,  1 

Delphinium  elatum,  4  to  6 

Monarda  Kalmiana,  didyma,  2  to  3 

Cineraria  amelloides,  1 

Calceolaria  variabilis,  2  to  3 

Campanula  persicafolia,  etc  2  to  3 

Campanula  medium,  2  to  3 

Euphorbia  lathyrus,  2  to  3 

Lobelia  cardinally,  etc,  3  to  4 

Cassia  Marylandica,  3  to  4 

Dianthus  caryophyllus,  1  to  2 

Celcia  orientalis,  1  to  2 

Dianthus  Chinensis,  1  to  2 
Primula  Chinensis,           under       1 

Cistus  guttatus,  1  to  2 

Clandanthus  arabicus,  2  to  3 

Clerodendron  speciosum,  4  to  5 

Dianthus  hortensis,  1  to  2 

Sutherlandia  frutescens,  2  to  3 
Calliopsis  grandiflora,  lanceola- 

tum,  auriculata,  etc.,  2  to  3 

Coronilla  glauca,  2  to  3 

Lychnis  coronata,  2  to  3 

Salvia  sclara,  1  to  2 

Aquilegia  vulgaris,  1  to  2 
Bellis  perennis,  hortensis,  under       1 

Dracocephalum  Virginianum,  3  to  4 
Dracocephalum  argumense,  etc.  1  to  2 

Trollius  Europoeus,  2  to  3 

(Enothera  biennis,  3  to  4 

Eupatorium  cerulea,  etc.,  2  to  3 

Digitalis  purpurea,  alba,  3  to  4 


BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    FLOWERS.  31 

t  Denotes  tender.       B  Biennial.       *  Seed  unattainable. 

Feet  high. 
Dictamnus  rubra-,  alba,  1  to  2 

Gentiana  purpurea,  lutea,  etc-,         1 
Gentiana  adscendens,  •     2  to  3 

Pelargonium  zonule,  2  to  3 

Echinops  sphosrocephalus,  2  to  3 

Anemone  hepatica,  under       1 

Hibiscus  palustris,speciosus,  etc.  3  to  4 
Althea  rosea  Chinensis,  Anglica, 

etc.,  4  to  5 

Lunaria  biennis,  2  to  3 

Canna  Indica,  lutea,  coccinea,    1  to  2 
Ipomopsis  elegans,  3  to  4 

Lunaria,  cymbalarioj  1  to  2 

Polemonium  ceruleum,  1  to  2 

Solanum  pseudo,  capsicum,       2  to  3 


and 


Fraxinella,  red,  white, 
Gentian,  purple,  yellow,  white, 
Gentian,  porcelain-flowered, 
fGeranium,  various  colours, 
Globe  Thistle,  purple, 
fHepatica,  blue,  pink, 
Hibiscus,  pink,  white,  purple, 
Hollyhock,    Antwerp,    China, 

English,  of  various  colours, 
JjHonesty,  or  Satin  Flower,  blush 
flndian  Shot,  yellow,  scarlet, 
fj|  Ipomopsis,  scarlet, 
Ivy-leaved  Toad  Flax,  pink, 
Jacob's  Ladder,  blue, 
+ Jerusalem  Cherry,  red  fruit, 
Larkspur,  Perennial,  purple, 

white,  &c, 
•Liatris,  long  spiked,  purple, 
*Lily  of  the  Valley,  white, 
f  Lotus,  brown, 
fLisianthus,  scarlet, 
fLupin,    Perennial,     blue,     white, 

changeable,  &c, 
•Lychnidea,  or  American  Phlox,  lilac, 

purple,  red,  white,  &c, 
"Lychnidea,  early,  pink,  &c„ 
♦Lychnis,  Mountain,  variegated, 
Lychnis,  scarlet, 
London  Pride,  variegated, 
fMesembryanthemum,    variegated, 

yellow,  white,  purple,  &c, 
*tMexican  Sage,  scarlet, 
Monk's  Hood,  white,  blue,  &c, 
Monkey  Flower,  yellow,  purple  spots, 
fOleander,  pink,  white, 
*Pardanthus,  Chinese,  orange, 
Fentstemon,  purple, 
Perennial  Flax,  purple, 
f  Periwinkle,  Madagascar,  rose,  white, 
Pink,  Pheasant-eyed,  variegated, 
+ Polyanthus,  variable  and  splendid, 
Poppy,  Perennial,  red,  yellow, 
Potentilla,  rose,  puce,  yellow, 
+ 1!  Pyramidal  Bell  Flower,  blue, 
*Queen  of  the  Meadows,  white,  rose, 
*  Ragged  Robin,  or  Red  Lychnis, 
Rocket,  Garden,  purple, 
J  Rose  Campion,  or   Mullen   Pink, 

rose,  white,  &c, 


pink,  Delphinium  grandifiorum,  pe- 
rennis, 2  to  3 
Liatris  spicata.  elegans,  etc.,  3  to  4 
Convaliaria  majalis,  1 
Lotus  Jacobeus,  2  to  3 
Lisianthus  Russellianus,  2  to  3 
Lupinus    perennis,    mutabilis, 

variabilis,  etc.,  2  to  3 

Phlox  puniculala   accuminata 

pyramidalis,  odorata,  etc.,  3  to  4 
Phlox  subulata,  stolonifera,  etc.  1  to  2 
Lychnis  Alpina,  1  to  2 

Lychnis  Chalcedonica,  3  to  4 

Dianthus  deltoides,  1 

Mesembryanthemum      acinaci- 

forme,  spectabile,  tricolor,  etc.,  1  to  2 
Salvia  splendens,  2  to  3 

Aconitum  album,  versicolor, etc.  4  to  6 
Mimulus  ringens,  luteus,  etc.  1  to  2 
Nerium  Oleander,  2  to  3 

Pardanthus  Chinensis,  1  to  2 

Pentstemon  campanulata,  2  to  3 
Linum  perennis,  2  to  3 

Vinca  rosea,  alba,  1  to  2 

Dianthus  plumarius,  under  1 
Primula  polyanthus,  under  1 
Papavcr  orientate,  bracteata,  2  to  3 
Potent it 'la  formoso,  splendens,  1  to  2 
Campanula  pyramidalis,  3  to  4 

Spiroea  ulmaria,  lobata,  etc.,  3  to  4 
Agrostemma  fios  cuculi,  1  to  2 

Hesperis  matronalis,  2  to  3 

Agrostemma  coronaria,    rosea, 
alba,  etc.,  2  to  3 


32  BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    FLOWERS. 

t  Denotes  temter.       B  Biennial.       *  Seed  unattainable. 

Feet  high. 
Rudbeckia,  yellow,  purple,  Rudbeckia,  lutca,  purpurea,       3  to  4 

Saphonaria,  rose  blush,  Saphonaria  officinalis,  etc.,         1  to  2 

•Saxifrage,  rose  white,  purple,  Saxifraga  umbroso,crassifulia,        1 

JSnapdragon,  white,  red,  variegated,  Antirrhinum  bicolor,  versicolor* 

in  several  splendid  varieties,  coccinea,  spartium,  etcn  1  to  2 

Sophora,  white,  blue,  &c,  Sophora  alba,  australi*,  2  to  3 

tfiStock  Gilliflower,  numerous  varie-  Mathiolaincana,  coccinea, alba, 

ties,  scarlet,  white,  purple,  striped,       purpurea,  striata,  etc.,  1  to  2 

•Sunflower,  yellow,  Heliani hus perennis,altissimus,  3  to  4 

HSweet  Scabious,  purple,  brown,         Scabiosa  atro,  purpurea,  etc.,      2  to  3 
Sweet  William,  various  colours,  Dianthus  barbatus,  1  to  2 

•Thrift,  pink  and  red,  Statice  vulgaris,  speciom,  under       1 

Valerian,  Garden,  red,  white,  Valeriana  rubra,  alba,  2  to  3 

Valerian,  Sweet-scented,  blue,  Pokmonium  cerulea,  3  to  4 

Veronica,  variegated,  blue,  Veronica  variegata,  cerulea,       2  to  3 

•Violet,  Fragrant,  white,  blue,  &c,     Viola  odorata,  alba,  cerulea,  under     1 
t||Wallflower,  bloody,  yellow,  Cheriantkus  c/teiri,  1  to  2 

*t  Wallflower,  double  perennial,         . C heir ant hus  per ennis,  lto2 

f  |Wall-leaved  Stock  Gilliflower,         Cheiranthus  glaber,  lto2 

•Windflower,  various  colours,  Anemone  coronaria,  1  to  2 

Yucca,  or  Adam's  Needle,  white,        Yucca  ftlamentoca,  gloriosa,  etc.  3  to  4 

CLIMBING  PLANTS. 

[For  the  other  lists  of  Climbing  Plants,  see  Catalogue  of 
Flowering  and  Ornamental  Shrubs ;  also  the  Catalogue  of 
Annuals.] 

Calampelis,  orange,  Eccremocarpus  scabra,  over    6 

•{■Climbing  Cobea,  dark  purple,  Cobea  scandens,  over  20 

Everlasting  Peas,  pink,  Lathyrus  lalifolius,  rosea,       over  10 

flFrench  Honeysuckle,  white,  red,  Hedysarum  coronarium,  etc,  over    6 

•j-Lophospermum,  pink,  Lophospermum  scandens,        over    6 

^Passion  Flower,  various  colours,  Passiflora  incarnala,  etc.,       over  20 

The  reader  is  here  reminded  that  our  Catalogue  of  Annual 
Flower  Seed  contains  a  few  varieties  of  Perennials,  which 
were  there  introduced  because  of  their  aptness  to  blossom 
the  first  season  of  the  seed  being  sown ;  these,  with  those 
marked  t  in  the  last  Catalogue,  may  be  sown  and  treated  in 
the  manner  recommended  for  tender  Annuals.  Those  in- 
tended to  be  cultivated  as  green-house  plants,  should  be 
taken  up  before  the  approach  of  cold  weather,  transplanted 


BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    FLOWERS.  33 

into  flower-pots,  and  sheltered  either  in  a  garden-frame., 
green-house,  or  light  room.  Those  plants  with  tuberous 
roots,  such  as  Dahlias,  Marvel  of  Peru,  and  also  some  others 
of  the  Bean  and  Pea  tribe,  may  be  cut  down  late  in  the  au- 
tumn, and  the  roots  taken  up  and  preserved  in  the  same 
manner  as  those  of  other  tuberous  and  bulbous-rooted  plants, 
of  which  I  shall  treat  hereafter. 

Hardy  Biennial  and  Perennial  flower  seed  may  be  sown 
in  the  month  of  April,  in  shallow  drills.  If  this  business  be 
performed  in  the  manner  recommended  for  Annuals,  they 
can  be  easily  distinguished  from  each  other ;  and  as  these 
plants  do  not  flower  the  first  year,  they  may  be  thinned  out, 
or  removed  from  the  seed-beds  as  soon  as  they  are  well 
rooted,  and  planted  either  in  different  parts  of  the  flower 
beds,  or  in  a  nursery-bed.  If  the  latter  plan  be  adopted, 
they  should  be  planted  in  rows  a  foot  or  more  apart,  and 
kept  free  from  weeds  by  means  of  a  small  hoe,  which  will 
greatly  promote  their  growth,  and  prepare  them  for  trans- 
planting into  the  regular  and  permanent  blossoming-beds, 
either  in  the  autumn  or  early  in  the  ensuing  spring. 

It  may  be  here  observed  that  Biennials  seldom  survive  the 
second  winter  to  flower  in  perfection,  unless  they  are  renewed 
by  cuttings  of  top  shoots,  young  flower  stalks,  or  casual  off- 
sets, layers,  &c.  It  will  be  unnecessary  to  take  this  trouble, 
unless  with  some  extraordinary  double-flowering  plants. 
Some  of  the  Perennials  may  be  increased  by  root  offsets 
detached  from  the  old  plants,  and  planted  in  spring  or  au- 
tumn ;  others  by  bottom  suckers  t  and  slips  of  top  shoots, 
layers,  pipings  of  young  shoots,  &c.  Pinks,  Sweet  Williams, 
Pansies,  and  double  Violets,  also  Periwinkle,  or  running 
Myrtle,  and  many  other  similar  plants,  may  be  increased  by 
simply  laying  their  branches  an  inch  or  two  under  the  sur- 
face, in  July  and  August.  After  roots  have  formed,  which 
may  be  expected  in  six  or  eight  weeks,  each  tuft  or  plant 
may  be  transplanted  into  the  borders. 

Many  sorts  of  Biennial  and  Perennial  flower  seed  may  be 


34  BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    PLANTS. 

sown  in  September,  or  as  soon  as  ripe  ;  and  if  the  plants  get 
strong  before  winter  sets  in,  some  of  them  will  flower  the 
ensuing  summer.     The  following  are  among  the  hardiest : 

Adonis,  Spring-flowering.  Lychnis,  in  varieties. 

Alpine  Columbine.  Larkspur,  perennial. 

Alyssum,  yellow.  Rose  Campion,  in   varieties. 

Bee  Larkspur.  Rocket,  in  varieties. 

Columbine,  in  varieties.  Scabious,  in  varieties. 

Evening  Primrose.  Valerian,  Garden. 

Fox-glove,  in  varieties.  Veronica. 

Fraxinella.  Everlasting  Peas,?     .    , . 

Hollyhock,  in  varieties.  Virgin's  Bower,  5climbmS- 

It  may  be  necessary  here  to  remind  the  reader  of  those 
species  of  beautiful  double-flowering  Perennial  herbaceous 
plants,  which  do  not  produce  seed ;  some  of  these  are  in- 
cluded in  our  Catalogue  ;  they  may  be  obtained  at  the  nur- 
series, and  should  be  introduced  into  the  regular  flower-beds, 
either  in  autumn  or  early  in  the  spring ;  the  best  mode  of 
increasing  these,  and  all  double-flowering  Perennials  raised 
from  seed,  is  by  layers,  cuttings,  offsets,  &c,  detached  from 
the  old  plants* 

As  the  earth  in  the  flower-beds  will  require  to  be  fresh 
dug  and  replenished  with  good  compost  or  manure  once  in 
two  or  three  years,  it  may  be  necessary  to  take  up  all  the 
Perennial  plants  at  such  times.  Such  roots  as  are  overgrown 
shouid  be  deprived  of  their  surplus  offsets,  and  either  planted 
in  a  nursery-bed,  or  returned  with  the  parent  plants  into  the 


*  It  may  here  be  observed,  that  the  most  certain  method  of  obtaining  dou- 
ble flowers,  is  by  propagation  from  Perennial  plants.  Many  seed  custom- 
ers teel  disappointed  if  they  do  not  in  every  case  procure  double  flowers  from 
seed,  which  is  unreasonable,  because,  although  seed  will,  under  ordinary 
circumstances,  reproduce  its  species,  it  will  by  no  means  uniformly  pro- 
duce the  particular  variety  by  which  it  was  borne.  The  experience  of 
numerous  amateurs  will  corroborate  this  fact,  who  frequently,  after  saving 
seed  from  their  most  perfect  flowers,  have  the  mortification  of  witness- 
ing such  degeneracy  the  following  season  as  would  lead  them  to  doubt 
.ts  identity,  had  the  seed  been  obtained  from  any  other  source.  Seed  gath 
ered  from  double  Balsams,  or  Lady  Slippers,  for  instance,  will  frequently 
produce  semi-double  and  single  flowers  the  next  season. 


BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    PLANTS.  35 

regular  flower-beds ;  they  should  be  inserted  a  little  deeper 
than  before,  and  the  fine  fresh  earth  distributed  well  about 
the  fibres. 

In  removing  plants  into  the  beds  where  they  are  intended 
to  blossom,  great  pains  should  be  taken  to  preserve  some  of 
the  earth  to  their  roots.  The  ground  should  be  previously 
brought  into  good  condition,  so  that  they  may  strike  freely, 
and  produce  their  flowers  in  perfection.  The  plants  should 
be  so  arranged  that  they  may  all  be  seen,  the  most  dwarfish 
being  placed  in  front,  and  the  taller  kinds  in  regular  grada- 
tions behind  ;  or  the  tallest  may  be  planted  along  the  middle 
of  the  beds,  and  the  others  on  each  side,  according  to  their 
varied  heights  and  colours. 

There  is  no  part  of  gardening  which  requires  so  much 
the  exercise  of  taste  and  fancy,  as  in  setting  off  a  border  or 
bed  of  intermixed  flowers  to  advantage.  In  association  with 
other  flowers,  the  different  kinds  of  hardy  bulbs  may  be 
planted  in  small  clumps  of  six,  seven,  or  eight  inches  in 
diameter,  three,  four,  five,  or  more  roots  in  each,  according 
to  their  size  and  growth,  and  these  at  suitable  distances  from 
each  other.  Likewise  observe  to  diversify  the  kinds  and 
colours,  so  as  to  display,  when  in  bloom,  the  greatest  possi- 
ble variety  of  shades  and  contrasts. 

If  green-house  plants  be  plunged  into  the  flower  borders 
in  the  month  of  May,  they  will  not  only  tend  to  ornament 
the  garden  by  their  diversity  of  foliage  and  blossom,  but  the 
roots  will  receive  a  more  uniform  supply  of  moisture,  than 
if  the  pots  were  exposed  to  the  sun  and  wind :  care  should, 
however,  be  taken  to  give  the  different  species  a  situation 
suitable  for  them.  Hydrangeas,  Primulas,  Daisies,  Olean- 
ders, Camellias,  China  Roses,  and  half-hardv  plants  in  gene- 
ral, thrive  best  in  a  moderately  shaded  situation.  Uerani- 
ums,  Jasmines,  Heliotropes,  &c,  may  be  plunged  in  a  sunny 
situation,  provided  they  be  regularly  supplied  with  water. 
Many  species  planted  for  ornament  in  the  flower  borders, 
may  at  the  same  time  be  propagated  by  layers.     The  FucJisia 


36  BIENNIAL    AND    PERENNIAL    PLANTS. 

or  Ear-drop,  Passion  Flower,  Heliotrope,  Carnation,  Petu- 
nia, running  Verbena,  &c,  will,  if  layed  in  June  or  July, 
exhibit  their  blossoms  in  perfection,  and  yield  young  plants, 
which  being  preserved  through  winter,  may  be  used  to  re- 
plenish flower-beds  the  ensuing  spring  * 

*  In  some  countries  the  wealthy  have  changeable  flower  gardens,  which 
are  so  arranged  that  their  productions  can  be  changed  at  pleasure,  so  that 
whenever  any  plant,  or  group  of  plants,  begins  to  decay,  it  can  be  removed, 
and  its  place  supplied  by  others  coming  into  bloom.  To  effect  this,  a  largo 
reserve-nursery  is  requisite,  in  which  the  plants  must  be  kept  in  pots,  and 
removed  and  plunged  in  the  borders  as  wanted.  Sir  W.  Chambers  informs 
ns  that  the  Chinese  excel  in  this  mode  of  gardening  ;  and  that  he  has 
known  a  mandarin  (or  noble)  to  have  the  whole  furniture  and  style  of  his 
parterre  changed  in  a  single  night,  so  as  to  present  next  morning  not  only 
a  different  description  of  flowers,  shrubs,  and  dwarf  trees,  but  a  different 
arrangement  of  the  beds  and  compartments.  Something  of  the  same  kind 
is  practised  in  the  gardens  of  the  Tuileries,  in  Paris  ;  in  some  of  the  im- 
perial gardens  at  Petersburgh,  and  in  the  vice-royal  gardens  at  Monza. 
Gardens  of  this  description  admit  of  a  very  perfect  arrangement  of  the' 
flowers,  whether  in  the  mingled  manner,  in  select  groups,  or  according  to 
the  natural  method.  It  is  only  with  such  resources  that  a  flower  gar- 
dener can  "  paint  his  way,"  as  Sir  W.  Chambers  says  the  Chinese  artists 
do,  "  not  scattering  their  flowers  indiscriminately  about  their  borders,  but 
disposing  of  them  with  great  circumspection  along  the  skirts  of  the  plant- 
ations, or  other  places  where  flowers  are  to  be  introduced.  They  reject  all 
that  are  of  a  straggling  growth,  and  of  harsh  colours  and  poor  foliage, 
choosing  only  such  as  are  of  some  duration,  grow  either  large  or  in  clus- 
ters, are  of  beautiful  forms,  well  leaved,  and  of  tints  that  harmonize  with  the 
greens  that  surround  them.  They  avoid  all  sudden  transitions,  both  with 
regard  to  dimension  and  colour,  rising  gradually  from  the  smallest  flowers 
to  those  of  the  boldest  growth;  and  varying  their  tints,  by  easy  gradations, 
from  white,  straw-colour,  purple,  and  incarnate,  to  the  deepest  blues,  and 
most  brilliant  crimsons  and  scarlets.  They  frequently  blend  several  roots 
together,  whose  leaves  and  flowers  unite,  and  compose  one  rich,  harmoni- 
ous mass  ;  such  as  the  white  and  purple  Candytuft,  Larkspurs,  and  Mal- 
lows of  various  colours,  double  Poppies,  Lupins,  Primroses,  Pinks,  and 
Carnations  ;  with  many  more  of  which  the  forms  and  colours  accord  with 
each  other  ;  and  the  same  method  they  use  with  flowering  shrubs,  blending 
white,  red,  and  variegated  roses  together,  purple  and  white  lilacs,  yellow 
and  white  jasmines,  altheas  of  various  sorts,  and  as  many  others  as  they 
can  with  any  propriety  unite.  By  these  mixtures  they  increase  considera- 
bly the  variety  and  beauty  of  their  compartments.  In  their  large  planta- 
tions, the  flowers  generally  grow  in  the  natural  ground  ;  but  in  flower  gar- 
dens, and  all  other  parts  that  are  highly  kept,  they  are  in  pots  buried  in 
the  ground,  which,  as  fast  as  the  bloom  goes  off,  are  removed,  and  others 
are  brought  to  supply  their  places  ;  so  that  there  is  a  constant  succession 
for  almost  every  month  in  the  year ;  and  the  flowers  are  never  seen  but  in 
the  height  of  their  beauty." — Loudon's  Encyclopaedia  of  Gardening. 


J51ENN1AL    AND    PERENNIAL    PLANTS. 


37 


It  may  be  observed  farther,  that  established  plants  will 
always  produce  their  blossoms  earlier  and  stronger  in  the 
spring,  than  those  recently  transplanted ;  it  should,  there- 
fore, be  an  object  with  gardeners  to  do  the  business  of  form- 
ing permanent  flower-beds  and  of  transplanting  hardy  Peren- 
nial and  Biennial  plants,  in  September  or  October. 

The  hardy  bulbous  roots  must  also  be  planted  in  October 
or  November,  which  on  being  properly  preserved  through 
the  winter,  will  embellish  the  parterre  in  spring  by  their 
early  and  First  Flowers. 

"  First  flowers  of  the  spring  time, 

Bright  gems  of  the  year, 
All  lovely  and  blooming, 

How  fresh  ye  appear  ; 
Springing  up  in  the  garden, 

The  hedge-row  and  vale, 
Enriched  by  the  showers. 

And  fann'd  by  the  gale." 

In  my  preliminary  observations,  I  directed  the  attention 
of  my  readers  to  some  important  points  respecting  walks, 
edgings,  &c.  Although  box  is  superior  to  any  thing  else 
for  edgings,  yet,  in  extensive  gardens,  dwarf  plants  of  vari- 
ous kinds  may  be  used  for  such  purpose.  Thrift  is  the  neat- 
est small  evergreen  next  to  box ;  but  Violets,  Pinks,  Peri 
winkle,  Pansy,  Iris,  Stone  Crop,  or  even  Parsley,  Thyme, 
Strawberry  plants,  &c,  may  be  used  for  the  sake  of  diver- 
sity. These  will  require  frequent  watering  and  trimming, 
and  the  Thrift,  &c,  should  be  sometimes  taken  up,  divided 
at  the  roots,  and  replanted. 

Box  edgings  will  also  require  frequent  pruning  and  trim- 
ming ;  and  once  in  from  seven  to  ten  years  the  whole  may 
be  taken  up,  divided,  and  replanted,  and  the  surplus  slips 
may  be  planted  in  a  nursery-bed,  in  rows  about  a  foot  apart  ; 
these  will  be  suitable  for  making  edgings  the  year  following. 

Flower-beds  should  be  kept  free  from  weeds,  and  watered 
occasionally  in  the  summer.  In  the  autumn  Aey  should  be 
covered  with  leaves,  straw,  or  light  litter;  this  should  bo 

4 


38  FLOWERING    AND    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

taken  otf  in  the  spring,  and  the  ground  hoed  and  dressed  in 
such  annanner  as  to  enliven  the  earth  around  the  roots  of 
the  plants,  and  to  give  the  whole  a  neat  appearance. 


FLOWERING  AND  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 
Jlrbrisseaux  d'Ornement. 

Shrubs  are  so  closely  connected  with  flowering  plants, 
and,  indeed,  so  many  of  them  are  embellished  with  flowers, 
that  they  may  be  considered  as  essential  to  the  completion 
of  an  ornamental  garden.  They  are  all  Perennial,  and  are 
divided  into  two  classes,  deciduous  and  evergreen ;  the  for- 
mer lose  their  leaves  in  the  winter,  the  latter  only  shed  them 
when  others  are  ready  to  supply  their  places. 

Shrubs  are  not  only  necessary  to  the  embellishment  of  a 
flower  garden,  but  many  kinds  are  eligible  for  hedges  to  it, 
and  may  be  planted  at  a  trifling  expense.  These  hedges 
should  be  frequently  trimmed  and  trained,  the  sides  cut  even 
and  the  tops  sparingly  clipped,  so  as  to  make  them  orna- 
mental as  well  as  useful,  and  also  to  increase  the  vigour  of 
their  growth.  When  hedges  become  open  or  naked  at  the 
bottom,  they  should  be  plashed  down ;  this  is  done  by  cut- 
ting the  branches  half  through  near  the  ground ;  they  will 
then  bend  easily,  and  may  be  interwoven  with  the  adjoining 
branches. 

When  shrubs,  creepers,  or  climbers,  are  planted  against 
walls  or  trellises,  either  on  account  of  their  rarity,  delicacy, 
or  to  conceal  a  rough  fence,  or  other  unsightly  object,  they 
require  different  modes  of  training ;  some  attach  themselves 
naturally,  as  the  Ivy,  and  merely  require  to  be  occasionally 
guided,  so  as  to  cause  a  regular  distribution  of  their  shoots ; 
others  must  be  treated  like  fruit  trees,  trained  thinly,  if 
blossoms  are  |Jie  object,  and  rather  thick,  if  the  intention  be 
to  show  the  foliage  to  the  greatest  possible  advantage. 


FLOWERING    AND    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  3D 

Ornamental  shrubs  grow  from  one  foot  to  twelve  or  more 
feet  in  height ;  and  where  such  are  planted  for  ornament,  the 
height  of  each  plant,  when  full  grown,  should  be  considered, 
and  also  the  mode  of  growth,  that  every  one  may  be  so 
planted  as  to  show  to  advantage,  observing  that  the  tall- 
growing  kinds  should  be  planted  in  the  back  part  of  the 
borders,  and  those  of  low  growth  in  front ;  but  if  they  are 
required  to  be  planted  in  clumps,  they  should  be  so  arranged 
as  to  rise  gradually  from  the  sides  to  the  middle,  and  be 
afterward  neatly  trimmed. 

Shrubs  require  an  annual  pruning,  at  which  time,  cut  out 
all  irregular  and  superfluous  branches,  and  head  down  such 
as  require  it,  forming  them  into  handsome  bushes.  Apply 
stakes  to  such  as  need  support,  and  see  that  the  low-growing 
ones  do  not  injure  each  other,  or  interfere  with  other  dwarf- 
ish plants  near  them. 

Many  kinds  of  shrubs  may  be  raised  from  seed  sown 
early  in  the  spring,  but  are  more  commonly  propagated  by 
suckers,  layers,  or  cuttings.  Like  other  plants,  they  require 
a  good  soil,  which  should  be  manured  every  two  or  three 
years,  and  some  of  the  tender  kinds  should  have  some  pro- 
tection in  winter. 

The  following  list,  taken  from  'The  New- York  Farmer/ 
furnished  by  Mr.  Floy,  contains  the  most  of  those  usually 
planted  in  gardens  and  on  lawns.  These  will  afford  a  suc- 
cession of  flowers  from  spring  until  autumn,  and  may  be  ob- 
tained at  the  nurseries  at  moderate  prices. 


CATALOGUE,  &c. 

Jlmorpha  fruticosa,  Indigo  shrub,  produces  handsome 
bunches  of  purple  flowers  in  June  and  July. 

Amygdalus  nana,  Dwarf  double-flowering  Almond ;  a  veiy 
beautiful  shrub,  about  three  feet  highj  blossoms  early  in 
April. 


40  FLOWERING    AND    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

Aralia  spi?wsa,  or  Angelica  tree,  about  ten  feet  high ; 
flowers  in  very  large  bunches,  and  continues  a  long  while  in 
bloom. 

Cytisus  Laburnum,  or  Golden  Chain  ;  a  most  elegant  shrub, 
producing  long  racemes  or  bunches  of  yellow  flowers  in 
June  and  July;  there  are  two  kinds,  the  English  and  the 
Scotch  Laburnum.  The  Scotch  is  the  largest,  forming  a 
pretty  large  shrub ;  the  English  kind  is  greener,  more  com- 
pact, and  by  some  thought  to  be  the  handsomest ;  they  ought 
to  be  in  every  garden. 

Calycanthus  Floridus,  Allspice,  or  sweet-scented  shrub,  a 
native  of  the  Southern  States ;  the  flowers  are  of  a  very 
dark  chocolate  colour,  and  the  ftagrance  very  much  resem- 
bles ripe  strawberries ;  easily  kept  when  once  introduced. 
This  shrub  generally  grows  about  five  feet  high  in  gardens, 
and  blossoms  from  May  to  August. 

Ceanothus  JLmericanus,  Red  Root,  or  Jersey  Tea  Tree ;  a 
plant  or  two  in  the  collection,  as  it  flowers  in  profusion,  is 
worth  having. 

Cercis  siliquastrtim,  or  Judas  tree.  The  flowers  appear 
very  early  in  the  spring,  before  the  leaves  come  out,  and 
make  a  fine  appearance ;  as  it  grows  rather  tall,  it  is  calcu- 
lated for  the  back  row  of  the  shrubbery. 

Colutea  arborescens,  or  Bladder  Senna,  having  bunches  of 
yellow  flowers  in  June  and  July,  which  are  succeeded  by 
seed  in  a  kind  of  bladder ;  calculated  for  the  back  or  centre 
row  of  shrubberies. 

Crataegus  oxyacantha,  the  Hawthorn.  It  makes  a  pretty 
appearance  planted  out  singly  in  the  back  or  centre  row ; 
the  flowers  are  very  fragrant;  it  is  sometimes  called  the 
Pride  of  May ;  the  double  white,  double  scarlet,  and  single 
scarlet  Hawthorn,  are  very  beautiful,  and  ought  to  be  in 
every  plantation.  Hawthorn  hedges  are  much  used  in  Eng- 
land, where  they  look  very  handsome  when  clipped ;  but 
they  do  not  answer  so  well  in  this  country,  the  heat  of  our 
Bummers  causing  the  leaves  to  fall  off  early,  often  in  Julyj 


FLOWERING   AND    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  41 

on  that  account  they  are  not  much  used.  We  have  several 
things  which  are  better  calculated  for  that  purpose. 

Cydonia  Japonica,  or  Pyrus  Japonica,  a  very  beautiful 
scarlet  flowering  shrub,  from  Japan.  It  is  found  to  be  very 
hardy,  resisting  our  most  severe  frosts  ;  it  flowers  very  early, 
and  continues  a  long  time  in  bloom.  A  second  flowering 
takes  place  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer.  It  is  every 
way  a  desirable  shrub. 

Daphne  mezerion,  one  of  our  most  early  flowering 
shrubs,  which  blooms  freely  in  April  and  May,  and  is  very 
sweet-scented.  It  is  rather  tender  in  some  situations, 
but  will  stand  our  ordinary  winters  very  well  in  a  sheltered 
situation. 

Direct  palustris,  or  Leather  Wood  ;  a  pretty  little  shrub, 
growing  very  regular  in  shape,  and  has  the  appearance  of  a 
large  tree  in  miniature  ;  it  is  a  native  of  our  Northern 
States ;  the  flowers,  which  appear  very  early  in  the  spring, 
are  yellow,  and  come  out  before  the  leaves. 

Gymnocladus  Canadensis,  or  Kentucky  Coffee  tree.  The 
berries  bear  a  resemblance  to  coffee,  and  are  said  to  be  a 
good  substitute  for  it;  however,  it  is  a  beautiful  tree,  with 
handsome  feathered  leaves,  and  makes  a  fine  contrast  with 
others.  It  should  be  planted  in  the  back  or  the  centre  of 
the  plantation ;  it  is  very  hardy.- 

Halesia  diptera,  and  Halesia  ietraptera,  two-winged  and 
four- winged  Silver  Bell,  or  Snow-drop  tree.  They  are  both 
natives  of  the  Southern  States,  but  are  perfectly  hardy  here ; 
our  most  severe  winters  do  not  injure  them.  The  former 
kind  flowers  in  April,  and  the  latter  withholds  its  blossoms 
until  May.     They  are  elegant  shrubs. 

Hibiscus  Syriacus,  fl.  pleno,  the  double-flowering  Althea 
frufcex,  of  which  there  are  several  varieties;  the  double 
white,  double  red,  double  red  and  white,  and  striped,  are 
the  most  showy  ;  they  begin  to  flower  late  in  Jury,  and  con- 
tinue until  Autumn.  The  single  kind,  of  which  there  are 
many  varieties,  are  scarcely  worth  cultivating,  the  double 


42  FLOWERING    AND    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

ones  being  raised  quite  as  easily,  and  are  equally  hardy. 
These  are  indispensable  in  every  plantation. 

Hypericum  frutescens,  Shrubby  Hypericum.  There  are 
several  species  of  this  small  but  beautiful  shrub,  all  natives 
of  the  Southern  States,  but  perfectly  hardy  here.  They  all 
flower  profusely  in  the  summer/and  continue  for  a  long  time. 
They  should  be  planted  in  the  front  row. 

KerriaJapotiica,  or  Corchorus  Japonica,  yellow  Japan  Globe 
Flowery  although  a  native  of  Japan,  like  many  other  Ja- 
panese flowers,  it  is  perfectly  hardy  here.  It  flowers  in  the 
greatest  profusion  at  all  times,  except  in  the  very  dead  of 
winter,  and  will  grow  in  almost  any  soil  or  situation. 

Kc&lreuteria  paniculata,  Japan  Bladder  tree,  or  Kozlrolerius. 
This  is  another  hardy  shrub  from  Japan.  It  has  long  race- 
mes of  flowers,  succeeded  by  a  bladder-like  fruit,  and  is 
worthy  of  cultivation  in  every  good  collection. 

Ligustrum  vulgare,  virens,  large  European  Privet,  a  very 
handsome  evergreen  shrub,  flowering  profusely  in  June,  and 
producing  bunches  of  black  round  berries.  It  bears  slip- 
ping well,  and  is  therefore  veiy  suitable  for  hedges,  or  to 
enclose  ornamental  plantations.  It  grows  quick,  and  is  well 
adapted  to  our  climate ;  when  planted  in  a  hedge-row,  and 
kept  clipped.  The  American  Privet  makes  a  beautiful 
hedge,  and  ought  to  be  in  more  general  use. 

Philadelphia  coronarius,  or  common  Syringa,  is  very  orna- 
mental, producing  its  sweet-scented  flowers  early  in  the 
spring,  and  in  abundance. 

Philadelphus  inodorous,  and  P.  grandiflorus,  Garland  Sy- 
ringa, are  both  natives  of  the  Southern  States,  but  quite  hardy 
here.  Their  flowers  are  large,  and  continue  for  several 
months,  in  wreaths  or  garlands.  They  are  well  calculated 
for  the  centre  row,  and  also  to  hide  unsightly  objects,  and 
have  a  beautiful  effect  when  mixed  with  monthly  honey- 
suckles, &c. 

Persica,  or  Jlmygdalus  Persica,  fl.  rosea  pleno,  or  double 
flowering  Peach,  is  very  beautiful  in  shrubberies.     It  blos- 

4* 


FLOWERING  AND  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS,        43 

8oms  early,  and  sometimes  ,  bears  fruit,  but  it  is  cultivated 
entirely  for  its  beautiful  blossoms.  A  few  trees  of  the  Chi- 
nese double  flowering  Apple  (Pyrtis  spectabilis)  have  also  a 
beautiful  effect. 

Rhus  cotinus,  Venetian  Sumach,  Aaron's  Beard,  sometimes 
called  fringe  tree,  is  a  fine  shrub,  calculated  for  the  centre 
of  the  clump  or  shrubbery.  Its  large  branches  of  fringe 
remain  all  the  summer,  and  give  it  a  curious  and  striking 
effect.  m 

Ribes  Missouriensis,  or  Missouri  Currant ;  there  are  two 
species  of  this  very  ornamental  shrub  from  Missouri,  intro- 
duced by  Lewis  and  Clarke  ;  they  are  quite  hardy,  and  flower 
profusely  from  April  to  June. 

Robinia  glutinosa,  and  Robinia  hispida;  the  former  a  pretty 
large  shrub,  producing  fine  bunches  of  flowers  in  great 
abundance  throughout  the  summer ;  the  latter  is  a  smaller 
shrub ;  both  of  them  are,  however,  worthy  of  a  place  in 
large  collections. 

Robinia  pseudo-acacia,  or  Yellow  Locust  Tree*  This  is 
superior  to  any  other  kind  of  wood  for  ship-trunnels,  mill- 
cogs,  and  fence-posts,  as  well  as  for  various  other  purposes. 
Its  culture  is  very  easy,  arid  may  be  propagated  in  great 
abundance,  by  sowing  the  seed,  in  March,  April,  or  May,  in' 
a  bed  of  good  sandy  loam,  which  is  its  favourite  soil,  and 
covering  them  half  an  inch  deep.  Previous  to  sowing,  put 
the  seed  in  a  basin,  pour  on  scalding  water,  and  let  it  stand 
all  night ;  pick  out  such  seed  as  are  swollen,  and  plant  them 
immediately;  next  evening  repeat  the  same  process  with 
such  as  did  not  swell  the  first  night,  mix  the  whole  and  sow 
them  ;  they  will  come  up  in  the  course  of  the  following 
month  numerously  ;  for  no  seed  grow  more  freely,  notwith- 
standing what  some  say  to  the  contrary.  When  the  plants 
are  a  year  old,  transplant  them  out  of  the  seed-bed  into  nur- 
sery rows,  four  feet  distant,  and  plant  from  plant  one  foot. 

*  This  tree  is  introduced  here,  rather  on  account  of  its  usefulness  than 
beauty,  though  the  latter  is  very  considerable. 


44  FLOWERING    AND    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

Having  had  two  or  three  years'  growth  in  these  rows>  they 
may  be  planted  successfully  in  any  warm  and  tolerably  rich 
sandy  soil.  They  may  also  be  propagated  by  suckers,  which 
they  throw  up  abundantly,  especially  if  some  of  the  wide- 
extending  roots  be  cut  through  with  an  axe.  An  acre  of 
these  trees,  planted  at  two  feet  distant  each  way,  will  con- 
tain 10,890 ;  and  four  feet  distant,  2,722  ;  and  it  is  said  that 
no  appropriation  of  land  is  more  lucrative  than  that  devoted 
to  this  purpose.  The  Three-thorned  Acacia  seed  {Gledit- 
schia)  should  be  prepared  in  the  same  manner. 

Rosa,  or  Roses,  a  very  numerous  variety  of  these ;  some 
reckon  five  or  six  hundred  kinds.  They  are  accounted  the 
most  beautiful  of  Flora's  productions.  Perhaps  a  handsome 
collection  might  be  made  out  of  about  fifty  of  the  best  sorts, 
which,  by  taking  such  quantity,  I  suppose  might  be  obtained 
at  about  fifty  cents  each,  under  name  ;  and  generally,  a  fine 
collection  unnamed  at  half  that  amount.  No  good  garden 
or  shrubbery  should  be  without  them. 

Sorbus  aucuparia,  Mountain  Ash,  or  Roan  tree.  This  is  a 
very  beautiful  shrub  of  the  larger  size ;  the  leaves  are  orna- 
mental ;  the  flowers  and  fruit,  which  are  produced  in  largo 
bunches,  are  beautiful ;  the  fruit  remains  till  late  in  the  au- 
tumn.    It  is  a  native  of  Europe. 

Sorbus  Canadensis.  This  is  a  native  of  our  Northern 
frontiers  and  mountains,  but  it  does  not  grow  so  large  as  the 
former ;  the  berries  are  smaller  and  red,  the  former  larger 
and  of  an  orange  colour ;  but  otherwise  much  resembles  it. 

Spartium  junceum,  Gentista,  etc.  Two  or  three  species  of 
Broom,  producing  numerous  bunches  of  yellow  flowers  in 
May  and  June ;  the  Genista,  or  Spanish  Broom,  which  has 
white  flowers,  is  also  very  pretty,  but  not  quite  so  hardy  as 
the  former. 

Symphoria  racemosa,  or  Snow-berry,  sometimes  called  St. 
Peter's  Wort,  a  pretty  little  shrub ;  the  bunches  of  wax- 
like white  berries,  which  it  produces  during  the  whole  sum- 
mer, give  it  a  beautiful  appearance. 


CLIMBING    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  45 

Syringa  vulgaris,  or  common  Lilac,  blossoming  in  May,  is 
well  known  to  all,  and  needs  no  comment.  The  white 
variety  is  not  quite  so  common.  They  are  only  used  for 
outside  plantings,  as  they  sucker  very  freely,  and  soon  make 
themselves  common. 

Syringa  Persica,  or  Persian  Lilac,  is  a  delicate  low  shrub, 
the  flowers  very  abundant,  and  the  leaves  small  and  delicate. 
There  are  two  varieties  of  the  Persian  Lilac ;  the  white 
flowering,  and  the  blue  or  purple  flowering. 

The  Chinese  cut-lqaved  Lilac  is  very  curious ;  the  leaves 
are  cut  like  Parsley,  the  flowers  growing  in  longer  racemes 
than  the  former. 

Siberian,  or  large  Persian  Lilac.  The  bunches  of  flowers 
are  very  large,  and  continue  in  bloom  a  long  time  after  the 
common  Lilac. 

Tamarix  Gallica,  or  French  Tamarix,  and  the  Tamarix 
Germanica,  German  Tamarix,  are  two  pretty  shrubs ;  the 
leaves  and  branches  are  small  and  slender,  producing  quan- 
tities of  beautiful  flowers,  which  form  a  very  striking  contrast 
to  the  other  parts  of  the  shrubbery. 

Viburnum  opulus,  or  Guelder  Rose,  otherwise  called  Snow- 
ball, is  a  very  showy  shrub,  producing  large  balls  of  snow- 
white  flowers  in  May,  and  is  indispensably  necessary  to  every 
shrubbery. 

Vitex  agnus  caslus,  or  Chaste  Tree,  a  pretty  and  singular 
shrub,  flowering  the  most  part  of  the  summer. 


CLIMBING  PLANTS. 

Ampelopsis  hederacea.  This  plant,  on  account  of  the 
largeness  of  its  leaves  and  rapidity  of  its  growth,  is  well 
adapted  for  covering  walls.  There  are  several  species,  all 
resembling  the  vine  in  habit  and  flower. 

Aristolochia  sipho,  Birthwort,  or  Dutchman's  Pipe.  A 
very  curious  blooming  plant,  with  extraordinarily  large  foli 


46  CLIMBING    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

age,  well  calculated  for  an  arbour;  affording  a  dense  and 
cooling  shade. 

Atragene  alpina.  A  free-growing  deciduous  shrub,  with 
small  pinnated  foliage,  and  large  blush-coloured  flowers, 
which  continue  from  May  to  July. 

Bignonia  crucigera  is  a  desirable  evergreen,  being  of  a 
luxuriant  growth.  It  will  cover  in  a  few  years  an  area  of 
fifty  feet,  and  bloom  from  May  to  August ;  colour  orange. 

Bignonia  radicans,  or  Trumpet  Creeper,  produces  large 
bunches  of  red  trumpet-shaped  flowers  in  July  and  August. 

Bignonia  grandiflora,  is  much  like  the  former  in  habit 
and  appearance,  but  the  flowers  are  much  larger.  It  is  said 
to  be  a  native  of  China,  and  the  former  a  native  of  this 
country.  They  are  both  perfectly  hardy,  and  will  climb  up 
brick  work  or  wooden  fences,  without  any  assistance. 

Clematis,  or  Virgin's  Bower.  There  are  several  species, 
some  of  them  tender,  or  not  sufficiently  hardy  for  our  severe 
winters,  without  protection.  The  Clematis  azurea,  bicolor, 
and  jlama,  are  splendid  varieties.  The  Clematis  Virginica, 
Vioma,  Viticelli,  and  Vitalba,  are  perfectly  hardy,  and  blos- 
som throughout  the  summer. 

Glycine  Sinensis,  or  Wistaria  Sinensis,  is  a  handsome  Ghi- 
nese  Creeper  of  recent  introduction  from  China,  and  is  not 
yet  common  in  our  nurseries.  It  is  a  beautiful  vine,  running 
to  a  great  height,  and  loaded  with  long  racemes  of  purple 
flowers  throughout  the  summer. 

Glycine  frutescens,  or  Wistaria  frutescens.  This  beautiful 
brother  of  the  Chinese  kind  is  a  native  ©f  our  Southern 
States,  grows  much  in  the  same  way  as  the  others,  and  is, 
perhaps,  not  inferior.  Although  this  fine  creeper  has  been 
long  known  in  England,  we  have  not  heard  much  about  it 
by  English  writers ;  the  conclusion  seems  to  be,  that  it  does 
not  flower  well  in  England.  In  fact  none  of  our  Southern 
plants  do  well  in  that  country,  while  those  from  China  do 
very  well ;  here,  however,  it  is  quite  the  reverse.  I  have 
the  Chinese  Wistaria  Sinensis,  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high, 


CLIMBING    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  47 

and  the  American  Wistaria  about  the  same  height.  The 
Chinese  does  not  look  so  vigorous  and  green  as  his  American 
brother.  The  American  Wistaria  should  be  planted  in  every 
garden  with  other  creepers,  or  to  run  up  the  trees  in  shrub- 
beries, according  to  its  natural  habit. 

Hedera  Helix,  Irish  Ivy,  is  a  desirable  evergreen  for  cover 
ing  naked  walls,  or  any  other  unsightly  object.  The  leaves 
are  of  a  lively  green,  and  from  three  to  five  angled.  There 
are  several  varieties  of  it,  all  calculated  for  growing  in  con- 
fined, shady  situations,  where  plants  in  general  will  not  thrive. 

Jasminum  officinale,  Garden  Jasmine.  This  delicious 
climbing  shrub  has  from  time  immemorial  been  common  in 
Europe  for  covering  arbours.  Its  delicate  white  fragrant 
flowers  render  it  very  desirable ;  but  it  is  rather  tender  for 
our  Northern  winters,  unless  well  protected.  In  the  South- 
ern States,  this  plant,  and  also  the  yellow  Jasmine,  (revolu- 
tion,) grow  luxuriantly  and  bloom  profusely,  and  even  Jas- 
minum grandijtora  will  endure  the  winters  of  South  Caro- 
lina and  Georgia. 

Lonicera,  comprehending  all  the  fine  sweet-scented  honey- 
suckles. Of  the  Italian  kinds,  the  monthly  honeysuckle  is 
decidedly  superior,  continuing  to  flower  all  through  the  sum- 
mer, until  late  in  autumn,  and  is  very  fragrant.  Some  of 
the  other  European  kinds  may  be  occasionally  introduced 
into  large  shrubberies.  There  is  a  white  honeysuckle,  lately 
introduced  from  France,  denominated  Hedysarum  coronarium, 
which  is  in  great  repute.  Two  or  three  American  kinds 
deserve  particular  notice. 

Lonicera  sempervirens,  or  Coral  Trumpet,  monthly  honey- 
suckle, is  extremely  beautiful,  flowering  the  whole  of  the 
summer,  with  its  thousands  of  scarlet  bunches ;  it  is,  how- 
ever, destitute  of  scent. 

Lonicera  Fraseri,  also  an  American ;  the  flowers  are  like 
the  other  kind  in  almost  every  particular  except  colour,  this 
being  a  bright  yellow. 

Lonicera  jmbescens,  or  Caprifolium  ptibescens,  a  large  and 


48  CLIMBING   ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

beautiful  honeysuckle  from  the  Northwest  coast ;  the  flow- 
ers are  large,  and  of  a  bright  copper  colour,  inclining  to 
orange.     They  are  all  perfectly  hardy. 

Lonicera  flexuosa,  Chinese  Honeysuckle,  of  late  introduc- 
tion ;  it  is  perfectly  hardy,  withstanding  our  most  severe 
frosts  without  the  least  injury ;  it  is  a  very  sweet-scented 
honeysuckle,  grows  rapidly,-  and  to  an  immense  height.  It 
flowers  in  pairs  and  threes  all  up  the  branches,  covering  the 
whole  plant  completely  with  flowers.  It  blossoms  in  spring 
and  autumn,  and  is  a  very  valuable  acquisition  to  our  gar- 
dens and  shrubberies. 

Lonicera  Japonica,  or  Japan  Honeysuckle.  This  bears 
flowers  in  great  profusion,  which  are  white,  afterward  be- 
coming of  a  light  yellow.  It  is  not  so  hardy  as  the  Chinese, 
and  requires  a  little  protection  in  the  winter. 

Passijlora,  or  Passion  Vine.  There  are  several  hardy 
species,  but  the  best  is  the  Passiflora  incarnata;  this, 
although  it  dies  to  the  ground  every  winter,  will,  during  the 
summer,  grow  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet,  and  yield  abun- 
dance of  beautiful  purple  flowers. 

Periplaca  grceca,  or  Silk  Vine.  A  prolific  climber,  wood 
slender,  twining  and  elastic,  leaves  smooth,  ovate,  lanceolate. 
Established  plants  will  grow  thirty  or  forty  feet  in  one  sea- 
son, and  yield  flowers  in  clusters,  of  a  brownish  yellow 
colour,  from  May  to  July. 

I  shall  only  add  to  the  above,  the  running  kind  of  Roses ; 
although  there  are  many  other  things  which  might  be  men 
tioned 

Rosa  multiflora,  from  China,  is  pretty  well  known,  pro- 
ducing thousands  of  small  double  red  roses  in  bunches.  It 
requires  a  sheltered  situation  from  some  of  our  keen  north- 
westers. Rosa  multijlora  alba,  from  the  same  country,  is  of 
late  importation,  but  as  it  increases  readily,  may  be  obtained 
at  about  the  same  price  as  the  former ;  the  bunches  of  flow- 
ers are  white.  Rosa  Grevillia,  a  running  rose,  also  from 
China,  the  flowers  of  various  colours.     Rosa  rubij'olia,  Rasp- 


PROPAGATION    OF    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  49 

berry-leaved  Rose,  from  our  Northern  frontiers,  and  extend- 
ing over  the  Western  country ;  although  a  single  flowering 
rose,  it  produces  large  bunches  of  flowers,  which  are  differ- 
ently coloured  on  the  same  bunch,  exactly  like  the  former 
China  kind,  and  is  another  instance  of  the  similarity  of  the 
native  Chinese  plants  to  those  of  our  country. 

.  Rosa  canina,  jl.  pleno,  English  double  Dog  Rose,  is  a  very 
pretty  little  double  rose,  and  will  run  to  a  great  height. 
Rosa  Banksii,  Lady  Banks's  double  white  China  running 
Rose  ;  it  runs  up  and  spreads  much  :  it  may  be  easily  known 
from  others  of  the  running  roses,  by  its  being  entirely  desti- 
tute of  prickles.  Rosa  Noisette,  and  Champney's,  are  said 
to  have  been  raised  from  China  seed  in  Carolina ;  they  are 
not  strictly  running  roses,  but  as  they  grow  tall,  are  fine 
ornaments  for  the  shrubbery,  flowering  during  the  whole  of 
the  summer  and  autumn,  in  large  clusters.  The  Madeira 
Rose,  or  double  white  cluster,  musk,  flowers  throughout  the 
summer  and  autumn  months,  and  is  therefore  well  adapted 
for  the  shrubbery.  Rosa  Cherokensis,  called  the  Nonde- 
script, or  Georgia  Rose  ;  the  flowers  are  very  large,  being 
white,  with  yellow  centre.  This  is  a  running  rose,  growing 
very  high  around  trees,  &c. 

■Rosa  rubiginosa,  or  Sweetbriar,  is  too  well  known  to  need 
description. 


PROPAGATION  OF  FLOWERING  SHRUBS. 

Flowering  shrubs  are  variously  propagated  by  slips,  cut- 
tings, layers,  suckers,  buds,  or  scions ;  and  these  may  be 
thus  defined : 

1.  Slips  are  simply  small  branches,  slipped  down  from 
the  side  of  a  large  branch,  or  from  the  main  stem.  These 
should  be  taken  from  the  parent  plants  carefully,  so  as  to 
leave  an  eye  or  heel  at  the  lower  or  butt  end. 


50  PROPAGATION    OF   ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

2.  Cuttings  should  be  made  from  shoots  or  stalks  of  a 
prior  year's  growth  ;  and  such  should  be  selected  as  are  well 
ripened,  having  their  joints  not  far  apart :  they  may  be  cut 
so  as  to  have  three  or  four  joints  in  each  cutting.  In  some 
species  of  succulent  plants,  the  joints  being  near  together, 
cuttings  need  not  be  more  than  from  four  to  six  inches  long  ; 
but  shrubby  plants  in  general  will  admit  of  their  being  from 
ten  to  twelve  inches. 

3.  Layers  differ  from  cuttings  in  nothing,  except  that 
they  strike  root  into  the  soil,  while  yet  adhering  to  the  parent 
plant, 

4.  Suckers  are  in  reality  young  plants,  connected  to  the 
parent  at  the  root,  which  should  be  carefully  separated  in 
spring  or  autumn,  and  transplanted  in  the  same  manner  as 
plants  raised  by  any  other  method ;  either  in  a  nursery-bed, 
shrubbery,  or  flower-border. 

5.  Scions  are  of  two  sorts  ;  scions  properly  so  called,  and 
buds.  A  scion  is  a  cutting,  or  portion  of  a  plant,  which  is 
caused  to  grow  upon  another  plant,  from  which  it  extracts 
fluid  for  the  nourishment  of  its  leaf  buds ;  these  thus  fed, 
gradually  grow  upward  into  branches,  and  send  woody  mat- 
ter downward,  so  as  to  become  connected  with  the  stock 
grafted  on. 

The  business  of  planting  slips,  cuttings,  &c,  of  the  tender 
kinds  into  nursery  pots,  and  the  hardy  kinds  into  borders,  is 
generally  performed  in  spring  and  autumn  j  there  are,  how- 
ever, some  exceptions  to  this  rule,  which  will  be  explained 
hereafter.     [See  Calendar  and  Index.] 

For  the  purpose  of  raising  hardy  flowering  shrubs  by 
slips  or  cuttings,  let  a  border  be  prepared  in  a  shaded  and 
sheltered  situation,  by  manuring  and  deep  digging.  Provide 
cuttings  about  a  foot  long,  and  insert  them  into  the  ground 
full  one-third  of  their  length  ;  the  rows  may  he  about  two 
feet  apart,  and  the  cuttings  nine  -inches  from  each  other  in 
the  rows.  Press  the  ground  around  the  stems,  and  rake  it 
smooth.     The   after  management  of  nursery  beds  made  in 


PROPAGATION   OP    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  51 

spring,  is  to  keep  them  watered  in  dry  weather,  hoe  them 
occasionally,  and  by  autumn  the  cuttings  will  be  rooted. 

In  cold  climates,  plantations  made  in  autumn  should  be 
protected  by  a  covering  of  leaves,  straw,  or  litter,  merely 
sufficient  to  screen  the  plants  from  wind  and  the  sun's  rays 
in  time  of  freezing,  the  heat  of  the  sun  being  more  destruc- 
tive to  vegetation  in  winter  than  the  cold  weather. 

To  increase  flowering  shrubs,  rose  bushes,  or  any  other 
plants,  by  layers,  dig  the  ground  about  the  plants  to  be  ope- 
rated on  to  a  good  depth ;  then  with  a  sharp  knife  cut  be- 
tween two  joints  half  through  the  stalk  or  branch  on  the 
under  part,  turn  the  edge  of  the  knife  upward  and  make  a 
slit,  carrying  it  past  the  first  joint  half  way  to  the  next 
above ;  make  a  hollow  in  the  ground,  and  insert  the  cut  part 
from  one  to  three  inches  deep,  according  to  the  nature  of 
the  plant  operated  on,  keeping  the  branch  perpendicular, 
and  the  slit  open.  Each  layer  should  be  pegged  down  with 
a  hooked  stick,  made  from  small  branches  of  trees,  to  keep 
it  in  its  proper  position,  as  well  as  to  prevent  the  cut  part 
from  uniting  where,  the    roots  form  for  the  young  plants. 

Budding,  grafting,  and  inarching  are  often  practised  on 
shrubs,  with  a  view  to  perpetuate  improved  varieties.  Bud- 
ding may  be  performed  on  roses  of  different  descriptions,  as 
the  White  Moss,  Unique,  Tuscany,  and  other  fine  varieties, 
upon  such  wild  kinds  as  are  of  a  strong  habit.  The  best 
time  for  performing  the  operation  is  toward  the  end  of  July 
or  early  in  August,  as  the  buds  are  then  generally  matured 
so  fchat  the  bark  parts  freely  from  the  wood,  which  is  essen- 
tial to  the  successful  accomplishment  of  the  business. 

Grafting  is  generally  performed  in  the  spring.  There  are 
many  methods  practised  on  trees,  as  cleft  grafting,  whip 
grafting,  saddle  grafting,  side  grafting,  root  grafting,  inarch- 
ing or  grafting  by  approach,  &c,  which  methods  are  all.  fully 
explained  under  the  head  of  "  Budding  and  Grafting,"  in 
the  fruit  department.  I  shall,  however,  here  present  a  short 
view  of  the  mode  best  adapted  for  shrubs. 


62  PROPAGATION    OF    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS. 

Scallop  budding  is  performed  by  cutting  from  a  small 
stock  a  thin  narrow  scallop  of  wood,  about  an  incli  in  length, 
and  taking  from  the  chosen  twig  a  thin  scallop  of  wood  of 
the  same  dimensions;  this  is  instantly  applied,  and  fitted 
perfectly  at  top  and  bottom,  and  as  nearly  as  possible  on  its 
sides,  and  firmly  bound  with  bass  matting.  This  may  be 
performed  in  spring,  and  if  it  fails,  it  may  be  repeated  in  the 
month  of  July.     The  French  practise  this  mode  on  Roses. 

The  most  simple  method  of  grafting  is,  to  cut  off  the  stock 
in  a  wedge-like  manner ;  then  prepare  a  graft  having  three 
or  four  eyes ;  proceed  to  cut  a  slit  in  it  upward,  and  thrust 
it  on  the  stock,  taking  care  to  join  the  bark  of  each  together ; 
tie  them  firmly  together  with  bass,  and  immediately  cover 
the  grafted  part  with  clay  and  horse  dung  mixed ;  which  being 
well  prepared,  should  be  closed  securely  round  the  graft  in 
an  oval  form. 

Inarching,  or  grafting  by  approach,  may  be  performed  as 
follows :  The  shrubs  to  be  grafted  must  be  growing  very 
near  to  those  which  are  to  furnish  the  grafts  ;  a  branch  of 
each  must  then  be  prepared  by  making  a  long  sloping  cut 
nearly  to  its  centre  ;  the  two  must  be  brought  together,  and 
secured  by  a  bandage  of  matting,  so  that  the  bark  may  meet 
as  nearly  as  possible.  The  graft  may  then  be  covered  with 
clay  composition ;  and  when  a  complete  union  has  taken 
place,  the  plants  may  be  separated  with  a  sharp  knife,  by 
cutting  off  below  the  junction. 

As  the  above  directions  are  applicable  to  the  propagation 
and  management  of  green-house,  tender,  and  half-hafldy 
plants,  as  well  as  to  hardy  shrubs  and  vines,  it  may  be  ne- 
cessary here  to  remind  the  reader,  that  delicate  roses  and 
half-hardy  woody  plants  left  out  during  the  winter,  should  be 
protected  either  by  bending  down  the  branches  and  covering 
them  with  soil,  or  by  tying  them  up  to  stakes,  and  binding 
straw  snugly  around  them.  At  the  same  time  throw  some 
dung  on  the  ground  about  the  roots ;  the  longest  bf  which 
may  be  raked  off  on  the  approach  of  spring,  and  the  shortest 


PROPAGATION    OF    ORNAMENTAL    SHRUBS.  53 

forked  in,  so  as  to  manure  the  plants,  and  thus  give  vigour 
to  their  rising  shoots. 

Deciduous  shrubs  may  be  transplanted  at  any  time  after 
they  lose-  their  leaves,  and  before  the  buds  begin  to  expand 
in  spring,  provided  the  ground  can  be  brought  into  good 
condition  to  receive  them  ;  the  holes  should  be  dug  capacious 
enough  to  hold  the  roots  without  cramping  them,  and  some 
eaith,  well  pulverized,  must  be  thrown  equally  among  the 
fibres  of  the  roots,  which  should  be  well  shaken,  and  the 
earth  trodden  down  around  the  plants,  until  brought  to  the 
level  required.  Evergreens  should  be  removed  carefully 
with  a  ball  of  earth  connected  with  their  roots,  and  some 
good  mould  should  be  provided  to  fill  in  with. 

The  spring  pruning  of  shrubs  and  vines  should  be  attended 
to  before  the  buds  begin  to  rise  ;  say  March  in  the  Northern, 
and  January  in  the  Southern  States.  In  performing  this 
business,  use  a  sharp  knife,  in  order  that  all  amputations  and 
wounds  be  cut  and  pared  smooth,  and  in  a  slanting  manner. 
Divest  the  plants  of  all  dead  wood,  superfluous  branches, 
and  those  which  cross  each  other.  Regulate  the  plantation 
in  such  manner,  that  the  natural  form  and  habit  of  each 
plant  may  be  retained  as  much  as  possible,  and  train  the 
branches  so  that  the  sun  can  have  free  access  to  every  part ; 
bearing  in  mind  the  hints  thrown  out  in  the  Introduction  to 
our  Catalogue.  Some  shrubs  and  vines  will  need  a  summer 
pruning,  merely  to  thin  out  young  shoots,  superfluous  wood, 
&c.,  and  to  train  straggling  branches. 


54 


BEAUTIES    OF    APRIL   AND    MAY. 


,  The  following  article  is  submitted,  as. being  well  calcu- 
lated to  afford  amateurs  mental  recreation  while  engaged 
in  rural  pursuits ;  and  it  is  presumed  that  the  practical  gar- 
dener will  not  view  the  insertion  of  this  article  as  a  digres- 
sion, as  it  exhibits  the  beauty  and  order  of  the  flower  tribe 
in  propitious  climates,  or  when  cultivated  at  the  proper  sea- 
son, in  a  truly  appropriate  and  amusing  light. 

APRIL. 
"  Descend,  sweet  April,  from  yon  watery  bow, 
And  liberal  strew  the  ground  with  budding  flowers, 
With  leafless  Crocus,  leaf-veiled  Violet, 
Auricula,  with  powdered  cup,  Primrose 
That  loves  to  lurk  below  the  Hawthorn  shade." 

It  is  generally  admitted  that  the  month  of  April  gives  the 
most  perfect  image  of  spring ;  for  its  vicissitudes  of  warm 
gleams  of  sunshine  and  gentle  showers,  have  the  most  powerful 
effect  in  hastening  the  universal  springing  of  the  vegetable 
tribes,  from  whence  the  season  derives  its  appellation.  Next 
comes  the  favourite  month  of  the  year,  in  poetical  description, 

MAY. 

*  For  thee,  sweet  month,  the  groves  green  liv'ries  wear  j 
If  not  the  first,  the  fairest  in  the  year ; 
Thou  dost  afford  us  many  pleasant  hours, 
While  Nature's  ready  pencil  paints  the  flowers." 

The  pious  Hervey,  in  his  Meditations  on  the  Flower  Gar 
den,  has  furnished  us  many  sublime  idea*respecting  the  order, 
variety,  and  beauty  of  the  flower  tribe  *  It  is  in  vain  to 
attempt  a  catalogue  of  those  amiable  gifts.     There  is  an  end- 

*  Those  who  have  read  Hervey's  Meditations  on  the  Flower  Garden,  will 
discover  that  the  pious  author's  phraseology,  and  several  of  his  sublime 
ideas,  are  interspersed  through  this  article,  which,  from  being  blended  with 
other  matter,  could  not  be  designated  in  the  customary  way. 


THE    BEAUTIES    OV   APRIL    AND    MAY.  55 

Jess  multiplicity  of  their  characters,  yet  an  invariable  order 
in  their  approaches.  Every  month,  almost  every  week,  has 
its  peculiar  ornaments  ;  not  servilely  copying  the  works  of 
its  predecessors,  but  forming,  still  forming,  and  still  executing, 
some  new  design  ;  so  lavish  is  the  fancy,  yet  so  exact  is  the 
process  of  Nature.  Were  all  the  flower  tribe  to  exhibit 
themselves  at  one  particular  season,  there  would  be  at  once 
a  promiscuous  throng,  and  at  once  a  total  piivation. 

We  should  scarcely  have  an  opportunity  of  adverting  to 
the  dainty  qualities  of  half,  and  must  soon  lose  the  agreeable 
company  of  them  all.  #But  now,  since  every  species  has  a 
separate  post  to  occupy,  and  a  distinct  interval  for  appearing, 
we  can  take  a  leisurely  and  minute  survey  of  each  succeed- 
ing set  We  can  view  and  review  their  forms,  enter  into  a 
more  intimate  acquaintance  with  their  charming  accomplish- 
ments, and  receive  all  those  pleasing  sensations  which  they 
are  calculated  to  yield. 

Before  the  trees  have  ventured  to  unfold  their  leaves,  and 
while  the  icicles  are  pendant  on  our  houses,  the  Snow-drop 
breaks  her  way  through  the  frozen  soil,  fearless  of  danger. 
Next  peeps  out  the  Crocus,  but  cautiously  and  with  an  air 
of  timidity.  She  shuns  the  howling  blasts,  and  cleaves 
closely  to  her  humble  situation.  Nor  is  the  Violet  last  in  the 
shining  embassy,  which,  with  all  the  embellishments  that 
would  grace  a  royal  garden,  condescends  to  line  our  borders, 
and  bloom  at  the  feet  of  briars.  Freely  she  distributes  the 
bounty  of  her  emissive  sweets,  while  herself  retires  from 
sight,  seeking  rather  to  administer  pleasure  than  to  win  admi- 
ration. Emblem,  expressive  emblem,  of  those  modest  virtues 
which  delight  to  bloom  in  obscurity.  There  are  several  kinds 
of  Violets,  but  the  fragrant,  both  blue  and  white,  are  the 
earliest.  Shakspeare  compares  an  exquisitely  sweet  strain 
of  music  to  the  delicious  scent  of  this  flower : 

u  Oh !  it  came  o'er  my  ear  like  the  sweet  South, 
•  That  breathes  upon  a  bank  of  Violets, 

Stealing  and  giving  odour." 


56  THE   BEAUTIES    OF    APRIL    AXD    MAY. 

The  pious  Hervey,  in  his  admonitions  to  those  who  indulge 
in  sloth,  has  thrown  out  the  following  sublime  ideas :  What 
sweets  are  those  which  so  agreeably  salute  my  nostrils  % 
They  are  the  breath  of  the  flowers,  the  incense  of  the  gar- 
dens. How  liberally  does  the  Jasmine  dispense  her  odorife- 
rous riches  !  How  deliciously  has  the  Woodbine  embalmed 
this  morning  walk !  The  air  is  all  perfume.  And  is  not 
this  another  most  engaging  argument  to  forsake  the  bed  of 
sloth  %  Who  would  be  involved  in  senseless  slumbers,  while 
so  many  breathing  sweets  invite  him  to  a  feast  of  fragrancy, 
especially  considering  that  the  advancing  day  will  exhale  the 
volatile  dainties  ]  A  fugitive  treat  they  are,  prepared  only 
for  the  wakeful  and  industrious.  Whereas,  when  the  slug- 
gard lifts  his  heavy  eyes,  the  flowers  will  droop,  their  fine 
sweets  be  dissipated,  and  instead  of  this  refreshing  humidity, 
the  air  will  become  a  kind  of  liquid  fire. 

With  this  very  motive,  heightened  by  a  representation  of 
the  most  charming  pieces  of  morning  scenery,  the  parent  of 
mankind  awakes  his  lovely  consort.  There  is  such  a  deli- 
cacy in  the  choice,  and  so  much  life  in  the  description  of 
these  rural  images,  that  I  cannot  excuse  myself  without 
repeating  the  whole  passage.  *  Whisper  it,  some  friendly 
genius,  in  the  ear  of  every  one,  who  is  now  sunk  in  sleep, 
and  lost  to  all  these  refined  gratifications ! 

"Awake!  the  morning  shines,  and  the  fresh  field 
Calls  you :  ye  lose  the  prime,  to  mark  how  spring 
The  tended  plants,  how  blows  the  Citron  grove  j 
What  drops  the  Myrrh,  and  what  the  balmy  Reed , 
How  Nature  paints  her  colours ;  how  the  bee 
Sits  on  the  bloom,  extracting  liquid  sweets." 

How  delightful  is  this  fragrance  !  It  is  distributed  in  the 
nicest  proportion  ;  neither  so  strong  as  to  oppress  the  organs, 
nor  so  faint  as  to  elude  them.  We  are  soon  cloyed  at  a 
sumptuous  banquet ;  but  this  pleasure  never  loses  its  poig- 
nancy, never  palls  the  appetite.  Here  luxury  itself  is  inno- 
cence; or  rather,  in  this  case,  indulgence  is  incapable  of  ex» 


THE    BEAUTIES    OF    APRIL    AND    MAY.  67 

cess.     This  balmy  entertainment  not  only  regales  l!ne  sense, 

but  cheers  the  very,  soul ;  and,  instead  of  clogging,  elates  its 

powers. 

"  The  soft  green  grass  is  growing 
O'er  meadow  and  o'er  dale  ; 
The  silv'ry  founts  are  flowing 
Upon  the  verdant  vale  ; 
•  The  pale  Snow-drop  is  springing 

To  greet  the  glowing  sun  ; 
The  Primrose  sweet  is  flinging 

Perfume  the  fields  along ; 
The  trees  are  in  their' blossom, 
The  birds  are  in  their  song ; 
As  Spring  upon  the  bosom 
Of  Nature's  borne  along. 

"  So  the  dawn  of  human  life 

Doth  green  and  verdant  spring : 

It  doth  little  ween  the  strife — 

.Like  the  Snow-drop  it  is  fair, 
And  like  the  Primrose  sweet, 

But  its  innocence  can't  scare 
The  blight  from  its  retreat." 

Our  subject  is  so  enchanting,  that  we  had  inadvertently 
wandered  from  the  path  we  first  entered.  We  now  retrace 
our  steps,  and  take  a  glance  at  surrounding  objects.  The 
fields  look  green  with  the  springing  grass.  See  the  Daffodil 
how  it  spreads  itself  to  the  wind  !  The  leaves  of  Honey- 
suckles begin  to  expand,  the  Lilacs,  or  Syringas,  of  various 
hues,  unfold  their  buds.  The  Almond  exhibits  its  rosy  clus- 
ters, and  the  Corchorus  its  golden  balls.  Many  of  the  low- 
lier plants  exhibit  their  yellow  and  purple  colffurs,  and  the 
buds  of  Lilies,  and  other  Perennial  plants,  prepare  to  show 
themselves.  If  we  turn  our  attention  to  the  orchard,  we 
behold  the  Apricots,  Nectarines,  and  Peaches,  lead  the  way 
in  blossoming,  which  are  followed  by  the  Cherry  and  the  Plum. 
These  form  a  most  agreeable  spectacle,  as  well  on  account 
of  their  beauty  as  of  the  promise  they  give  of  future  bene- 
fits. It  is,  however,  an  anxious  time  for  the  possessor,  as 
the  fairest  prospect  of  a  plentiful  increase  is  often  blighted. 


*»3  THE    BEAUTIES    OF    APRIL    AND    MAY. 

Shakspe'are  draws  a  pathetic  comparison  from  this  circum- 
stance, of  the  delusive  nature  of  human-  expectations  : 

"  This  is  the  state  of  man :  to-day  he  puts  forth 
The  tender  leaves  of  hope ;  to-morrow  blossoms, 
And  bears  his  blushing  honours  thick  upon  him ; 
The  third  day  comes  a  frost,  a  killing  frost, 
And  nips  his  root.'* 

But  now  we  return  to  the  garden.  Before  we  have  time 
to  explore  Nature's  treasures,  many  disappear ;  among  these 
are  the  humble  Daisy,  which  shrinks  from  the  intense  heat, 
and  the  several  varieties  of  Primulas,  or  early  spring  flowers. 
The  various  grades  of  Polyanthus  deserve  a  close  inspection ; 
these,  for  a  while,  exhibit  their  sparkling  beauties,  but,  alas  ! 
soon  disappear.  Scarcely  have  we  sustained  this  loss,  but 
in  comes  the  Auracula,  and  more  than  retrieves  it.  Arrayed 
she  comes  in  a  splendid  variety  of  amiable  forms,  with  an 
eye  of  crystal,  and  garments  of  the  most  glossy  satin.  A 
very  distinguished  procession  this  !  the  favourite  care  of  the, 
florist ;  but  these  also  soon  disappear.  Who  could  forbear 
grieving  at  their  departure,  did  not  the  various  sorts  of  bulb- 
ous flowers  burst  their  bands  asunder,  or  rather  expand  so 
as  to  exhibit  their  fragrance  and  beauty. 

"Fair-handed  Spring 
Throws  out  the  Snow-drop  and  the  Crocus  first, 
The  Daisy,  Primrose,  Violet  darkly  blue, 
And  Polyanthus  with  unnumbered  dyes. 
Then  comes  the  Auracula,  enriched  with  shining  meal, 
O'er  all  their  velvet  leaves." 

While  we  reluctantly  dispense  with  the  sweet  perfumes 
of  the  Hyacinth  and  Narcissus,  we  behold  the  Tulips  begin 
to  raise  themselves  on  their  fine  wands  or  stately  stalks.  They 
flush  the  parterre  with  one  of  the  gayest  dresses  that  bloom- 
ing Nature  wears.  Here  one  may  behold  the  innocent  wan- 
tonness of  beauty.  Here  she  indulges  a  thousand  freaks,  and 
sports  herself  in  the  most  charming  diversity  of  colours.  In 
a  grove  of  Tulips,  or  a  bed  of  Pinks  one  perceives  a  differ- 


THE    BEAUTIES    OP    APRIL    AND    MAT.  59 

ence  in  almost  every  individual.  Scarcely  any  two  are  turned 
and  tinted  exactly  alike.  What  colours,  what  colours  are 
here  !  these  so  nobly  bold,  and  those  so  delicately  languid ! 
What  a  glow  is  enkindled  in  some  !  what  a  gloss  shines 
upon  others  !  With  what  a  masterly  skill  is  every  one  of  the 
varying  tints  disposed !  Here  they  seem  to  be  thrown  on  with 
an  easy  dash  of  security  and  freedom ;  there  they  are  adjusted 
by  the  nicest  touches  of  art  and  accuracy.  Those  colours 
which  form  the  ground  are  always  so  judiciously  chosen,  as 
to  heighten  the  lustre  of  the  superadded  figures ;  while  the 
verdure  of  the  impalement,  or  shadings  of  the  foliage,  im- 
part new  liveliness  to  the  whole.  Fine,  inimitably  fine,  is 
the  texture  of  the  web  on  which  these  shining  treasures  are 
displayed.  What  are  the  labours  of  the  Persian  looms; 
what  all  the  gay  attire  which  the  shuttle  or  the  needle  can 
furnish,  compared  with  Nature's  works  ?  One  cannot  for- 
bear reflection  in  this  place,  on  the  too  prevailing  humour  of 
being  fond  and  ostentatious  of  dress.  What  an  abject  and 
mistaken  ambition  is  this  !  How  unworthy  the  dignity  of 
man,  and  the  wisdom  of  rational  beings  !  Especially  since 
these  little  productions  of  the  earth  have  indisputably  the 
pre-eminence  in  such  outward  embellishments. 

"Bright  Tulips,  we  do  Know, 
Ye  had  your  coming  hither, 
And  fading  time  doth  show, 
That  ye  must  quickly  wither. 

"  Your  sisterhood  may  stay, 
And  smile  here  for  an  hour, 
But  ye  must  quickly  die  away, 
E'en  as  the  meanest  flower. 

*  Come,  virgins,  then,  and  see 

Your  frailties,  and  bemoan  ye ; 
For  lost  like  these — 'twill  be 
As  time  had  never  known  ye." 

But  let  us  not  forget  the  fragrant,  the  very  fragrant  Wall 
and  Gilyflowers ;  some  of  these  regale  us  with  their  per- 


60  THE    BEAUTIES    OF   APRIL    AND    MAY. 

fumes  through  various  vicissitudes  and  alternations  of  the 
6eason,  while  others  make  a  transient  visit  only. 

"I  love  thee,  lone  and  pensive  flower, 

Because  thou  dost  not  flaunt  thy  bloom 
In  pleasure's  gay  and  garnish' d  bower, 

Or  luxury's  proud  banquet  room  ; 
But  on  the  silent,  mouldering  wall 

Thy  clinging  leaves  a  fragrance  shed, 
Or  give  to  the  deserted  hall, 

A  relic  of  its  glories  fled. 

«'  These  wreaths,  in  vivid  freshness  bright, 

Methinks  the  fluttering  herd  portray, 
Who  bask  on  fortune's  golden  light, 

And  wanton  in  her  joyous  way  ; 
But  thou  art  like  that  gentle  love, 

Which  blooms  when  friends  and  fame  havepass'd, 
Towers  the  dark  wreck  of  hope  above, 

And  smiles  through  ruin  to  the  last." 

In  favoured  climates  arises  the  Anemone,  encircled  at 
the  bottom  with,  a  spreading  robe,  and  rounded  at  the  top 
into  a  beautiful  dome.  In  its  loosely-flowing  mantle,  you 
may  observe  a  noble  negligence ;  in  its  gently-bending  tufts, 
the  nicest  symmetry.  This  may  be  termed  the  fine  gentle- 
man of  the  garden,  because  it  seems  to  j>ossess  the  means  of 
uniting  simplicity  and  refinement,  of  reconciling  art  and  ease. 
The  same  month  has  the  merit  of  producing  the  Ranunculus. 
All  bold  and  graceful,  it  expands  the  riches  of  its  foliage,  and 
acquires  by  degrees  the  lovliest  enamel  in  the  world.  As 
persons  of  intrinsic  worth  disdain  the  superficial  arts  of  recom- 
mendation practised  by  fops,  so  this  lordly  flower  scorns  to 
borrow  any  of  its  excellencies  from  powders  and  essences. 
It  needs  no  such  attractions  to  render  it  the  darling  of  the 
curious,  being  sufficiently  engaging  from  the  elegance  of  its 
figure,  the  radiant  variety  of  its  tinges,  and  a  certain  superior 
dignity  of  aspect. 

JUNE. 
"Now  have  young  April,  and  the  blue-eyed  May, 
Vanished  awhile,  and  lo !  the  glorious  June 
(While  Nature  ripens  in  his  burning  noon) 
Comes  like  a  young  inheritor." 


TIIE    BEAUTIES    OF   ArRIL    AND    MAY.  61 

I  had  intended  to  confine  our  meditations  to  the  beauties 
of  April  and  May,  but  Nature  seems  to  improve  in  her  opera* 
tions.  Her.  latest  strokes  are  the  most  masterly.  To  crown 
the  collection,  she  introduces  the  Carnation,  which  captivates 
our  eyes  with  a  noble  spread  of  graces,  and  charms  another 
sense  with  a  profusion  of  exquisite  odours.  This  single  flower 
has  centred  in  itself  the  peifection  of  all  the  preceding.  The 
moment  it  appears,  it  so  commands  our  attention,  that  we 
scarcely  regret  the  absence  of  the  rest. 

"  Maternal  Flora,  with  benignant  hand, 
Her  flowers  profusely  scatters  o'er  the  land : 
These  deck  the  valleys  with  unnumbered  hues, 
And  far  around  their  pregnant  sweets  difFuse, 
The  broad  Carnations,  gay  and  spotted  Pinks, 
Are  showered  profuse  along  the  rivers'  brinks." 

The  field,  we  have  entered  is  so  extensive  and  so  enchant- 
ing, that  we  cannot  extricate  ourselves  without  taking  a  cur- 
sory glance  at  the  airs  and  habits,  the  attitude  and  lineaments, 
of  each  distinct  class.  See  the  Pseonia  of  China,  splendid  and. 
beautifully  grand  !  View  the  charming  Rose,  delicate  and 
languishingly  fair  !  and  while  you  inhale  its  balmy  sweetness, 
you  will  be  constrained  to  admire  it,  notwithstanding  its  thorny 
appendages. 

"Rose!  thou  art  the  sweetest  flower 
That  ever  drank  the  amber  shower  ; 
Rose !  thou  art  the  fondest  child 
Of  dimpled  Spring !  the  wood-nymph  wild  ! 
Resplendant  Rose  !  the  flower  of  flowers, 
Whose  breath  perfumes  Olympus'  bowers ; 
Whose  virgin  blush,  of  chasten'd  dye, 
Enchants  so  much  our  mental  eye." 

• 
Behold  all  the  pomp  and  glory  of  the  parterre,  where  Na- 
ture's paint  and  perfumes  do  wonders.  Some  rear  their  heads 
as  with  a  majestic  mein,  and  overlook,  like  sovereigns  or  no- 
bles, the  whole  parterre.  Others  seem  more  modest  in  their 
aims,  and  advance  only  to  the  middle  stations ;  a  genius  turned 
for  heraldry  might  term  them  the  gentry  of  the  border;  while 

6 


Qj£  THE    BEAUTIES    OF    APRIL    AND    MAY. 

others,  free  from  all  aspiring  airs,  creep  unambitiously  on  the 
ground,  and  look  like  the  commonality  of  the  kind.  Some 
are  intersected  with  elegant  stripes,  or  studded 'with  radiant 
spots.  Some  affect  to  be  genteelly  powdered,  or  neatly  fringed ; 
while  others  are  plain  in  their  aspect,  unaffected  in  their  dress, 
and  content  to  please  with  a  naked  simplicity.  Some  assume 
the  monarch's  purple  ;  some  look  most  becoming  in  the  vir- 
gin's white  ;  but  black,  doleful  black,  has  no  admittance  into 
the  wardrobe  of  Spring.  The  weeds  of  mourning  would  be  a 
manifest  indecorum,  when  Nature  holds  a  universal  festival. 
She  would  now  inspire  none  but  delightful  ideas,  and  there- 
fore always  makes  her  appearance  m  some  amiable  suit.  Here 
stands  a  warrior  clad  with  crimson  ;  there  sits  a  magistrate 
robed  in  scarlet ;  and  yonder  struts  a  pretty  fellow,  that  seems 
to  have  dipped  his  plumes  in  the  rainbow,  and  glitters  in  all 
the  gay  colours  of  that  resplendent  arch.  Some  rise  into  a 
curious  cut,  or  fall  into  a  set  of  beautiful  bells.  Others  spread 
themselves  in  a  swelling  tuft,  or  crowd  into  a  delicious  cluster. 
In  some  the  predominant  stain  softens  by  the  gentlest  dimi- 
nutions, till  it  has  even  stolen  away  from  itself.  The  eye  is 
amused  at  the  agreeable  delusion,  and  we  wonder  to  find 
ourselves  insensibly  decoyed  into  quite  a  different  lustre.  In 
others  one  would  think  the  fine  tinges  were  emulous  of  pre- 
eminence ;  disdaining  to  mingle,  they  confront  one  another 
with  the  resolution  of  rivals,  determined  to  dispute  the  prize 
of  beauty;  while  each  is  improved,  by  the  opposition,  into  the 
highest  vivacity  of  complexion. 

"Mrs.  Polony  came  in  quite  late  in  a  heat, 
With  the  Ice-plant,  dew-spangled  from  forehead  to  feet ; 
Lobalia,  attired  like  a  queen  in  her  pride, 
And  Dahlias,  with  trimmings  new  furbish'd  and  dyed. 
And  the  Blue-bells,  and  Hare-bells  in  simple  array, 
With  all  their  Scotch  cousins  from  highland  and  brae, 
Ragged  Ladies  and  Marigolds  clustered  together, 
And  gossip'd  of  scandal,  the  news,  and  the  weather  ; 
What  dresses  were  worn  at  the  wedding  so  fine 
Of  sharp  Mrs.  Thistle  and  sweet  Columbine." 


63 

OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  CULTIVATION 

OF 

BULBOUS  AND  TUBEROUS-ROOTED  PLANTS. 


These  plants  exhibit  a  striking  variety  of  the  beauties  of 
Nature.  It  would  seem  as  if  every  change  she  is  capable 
of  forming,  was  included  in  the  radiant  colours  of  the  Tulip. 
Never  was  a  cup  either  painted  or  enamelled  with  such  a 
profusion  of  tints.  Its  stripes  are  so  glowing,  its  contrasts 
so  strong,  and  the  arrangement  of  them  both  so  elegant  and 
artful,  that  it  may,  with  propriety,  be  denominated  the  reign- 
ing beauty  of  the  garden  in  its  season.  The  Hyacinth  is 
also  an  estimable  flower  for  its  blooming  complexion,  as  well 
as  for  its  most  agreeable  perfume  and  variety. 

"  The  Hyacinth,  purple,  white,  and  blue, 
Which  flung  from  its  bells  a  sweet  peal  anew, 
Of  music  so  delicate,  soft,  intense,  * 

It  was  felt  like  an  odour  within  the  sense." 

The  Double  Dahlia,  in  its  numerous  varieties,  is  incon 
ceivably  splendid.  It  was  only  at  the  latter  end  of  the 
eighteenth  century  that  the  first  of  these,  which  were  single, 
were  introduced  into  Europe  from  Mexico. 

Double  Dahlias  of  three  colours  were  first  known  in  the 
year  1802,  and  since  that  time  the  varieties  have  increased 
so  rapidly,  that  those  which  a  few  years  ago  were  considered 
beautiful,  are  now  thrown  away  to  give  place  to  the  more 
splendid  sorts.  I  have  good  authority  for  stating,  that  upward 
of  twenty  thousand  seedlings  are  raised  yearly  in  England, 
only  a  few  of  which  are  introduced  into  the  collections  of 
amateurs,  to  take  the  place  of  such  old  sorts  as  may  from 
time  to  time  be  rejected.  This  is  done,  in  order  that  none 
but  the  very  choicest  may  be  retained  in  such  collections. 


64        BULBOUS  AND  TUBEROUS-ROOTED  PLANTS. 

In  some  gardens  in  Holland  they  cultivate,  by  distict  names, 
about  eleven  hundred  varieties  of  Tulips,  thirteen  hundred 
of  Hyacinths,  and  six  hundred  of  Ranunculuses  and  Ane 
mones,  some  of  which  are  sold  as  high  as  sixty  dollars  the 
single  root.  It  is  stated  in  the  travels  of  Mr.  Dutens,  of  his 
having  known  ten  thousand  florins,  equal  to  $4,000,  refused 
for  a  single  Hyacinth ;  and  Dodsley  says,  in  his  Annual  Regis- 
ter for  1765,  that  the  Dutch  of  all  ranks,  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest,  during  the  years  from  1634  to  1637  inclusive, 
neglected  their  business  to  engage  in  the  Tulip  trade.  Ac- 
cordingly in  those  days,  the  Viceroy  was  sold  for  £250,  the 
Admiral  Lief  keens  for  c£440,  and  the  Semper  Augustus  at  from 
d£500  to  661,000  each  ;  and  a  collection  of  Tulips  was  sold  by 
the  executors  of  one  Wouter  Broekholsmentser  for  <£9,000. 
It  is  stated  that  in  one  city  in  Holland,  in  the  space  of  three 
years,  they  had  traded  for  a  million  sterling  in  Tulips. 

As  a  full  catalogue  of  all  the  varieties  of  bulbous  and  tube- 
rous-rooted plants  would  occupy  a  number  of  pages,  without 
affording  much  general  interest,  I  shall  content  myself  by  de- 
voting a  short  paragraph  in  describing  some  of  each  particular 
species,  which  will  be  accompanied  with  directions  for  their 
culture,  in  a  brief,  and,  at  the  same  time,  explicit  manner. 

It  may  here  be  necessary  to  define  the  difference  between 
bulbous  and  tuberous  roots.  Those  designated  bulbous  have 
skins  similar  to  Onions,  or  the  Allium  tribe ;  and  tuberous  roots 
imply  all  such  as  produce  tubers  something  similar  to  Potatoes. 

The  soil  for  bulbous  and  tuberous  roots  in  general  should 
be  light,  and  yet  capable  of  retaining  moisture  ;  not  such  as 
is  liable  to  become  bound  up  by  heat,  or  that,  in  consequence 
of  too  large  a  portion  of  sand,  is  likely  to  become  excessively 
hot  in  summer;  but  a  medium  earth  between  the  two  ex- 
tremes. As  many  city  gardens  do  not  contain  a  natural  soil 
of  any  depth,  a  suitable  compost  should  be  provided  in  such 
cases,  which  may  consist  of  equal  parts  of  sand,  loam,  rotten 
manure,  mould,  &c. 

When  ready,  the  beds  may  be  laid  out,  from  three  to  four 


BULBOUS    AND    TUBEROUS-ROOTED   PLANTS.  65 

feet  wide,  and  they  should  be  raised  two  or  three  inches 
above  the  level  of  the  walks,  which  will  give  an  opportunity 
for  all  superfluous  moisture  to  run  off.  Let  the  beds  thus 
formed  be  pulverized  to  the  depth  of  fifteen  or  eighteen 
inches  ;  and  at  the  time  of  planting,  let  a  small  quantity  of 
beach  sand  be  strewed  in  the  apertures  or  trenches  prepared 
for  the  roots  to  grow  in,  both  before  and  after  placing  them 
therein,  which  will  prove  beneficial. 

A  southern  exposure,  dry  and  airy,  and  sheltered  from 
the  northwest  winds,  is  preferable  for  most  bulbs.  But 
Anemones  and  Ranunculuses  should  be  in  some  measure 
sheltered  from  the  intense  heat  of  noon. 

Beds  of  hardy  bulbous  and  tuberous  roots  should  be  cov- 
ered on  the  approach  of  winter  ^tith  litter,  leaves,  straw,  or 
such  earth  as  is  formed  by  the  decay  of  leaves,  to  the  depth 
of  two  or  three  inches,  as  it  prevents  any  ill  effects  which  a 
severe  season  may  have  on  the  roots ;  but  it  should  be  care- 
fully raked  off  in  the  spring. 

Bulbous  roots  in  general  should  be  taken  up  in  about  a 
month  or  six  weeks  after  the  bloom  is  exhausted,  or  when 
the  foliage  is  about  half  decayed.  If  fine  warm  weather,  the 
bulbs  may  be  dried  on  the  beds  they  grow  on,  by  placing  them 
in  separate  rows,  being  careful  not  to  mix  the  several  varieties. 
To  prevent  such  an  accident,  labels  may  be  affixed  to,  or 
placed  in  the  ground  opposite  each  bulb.  They  will  keep 
much  better  when  dried  gradually ;  to  this  end,  a  little  dry 
earth  may  be  shaken  over  them,  to  screen  them  from  the 
heat  of  the  sun.  If  it  should  rain  before  they  get  dry,  take 
them  in,  or  cover  them  with  boards ;  when  dry,  clear  them 
of  the  fibres  and  stems,  and  then  put  them  away  in  dry  sand  , 
or  if  wrapped  in  paper,  they  may  be  kept  in  boxes  or  draw- 
ers until  the  season  of  planting  returns. 

The  tender  tuberous  roots,  such  as  Dahlias,  and  the  like, 
will  have  to  be  taken  up  before  the  cold  becomes  severe. 
As  the  Dahlia  exhibits  its  flowers  in  all  their  splendour  until 
nipped  by  the  frost,  the  roots  ought,  in  the  event  of  a  very 

6* 


66       BULBOUS  AND  TUBEROUS-ROOTED  PLANTS. 

sudden  attack,  to  be  secured  from  its  blighting  effects.  They 
are  not  apt  to  keep  well  if  taken  up  before  they  are  ripened  ; 
the  tops  should  therefore  be  cut  down  as  soon  as  they  have 
done  flowering,  and  the  ground  covered  around  the  roots 
with  dung  or  litter ;  this  will  enable  them  to  ripen  without 
being  injured  by  frost ;  and  in  about  a  week  after  being  cut 
down,  or  on  the  appearance  of  severe  weather,  they  should 
be  dug  up  and  packed  in  dry  sand,  and  then  stowed  away  in 
a  diy  place  out  of  the  reach  of  frost.  The  temperature  suited 
to  keep  green-house  plants  will  preserve  them  in  good  order. 
Some  people  complain  of  the  difficulty  of  keeping  t>alilia 
roots  through  the  winter.  I  am  of  ojDinion  that  they  are 
often  killed  from  being  taken  up  before  they  are  ripe,  and 
then  put  in  a  confined,  ^fe.mp 'place;  or  are  by  some,  per- 
haps, subjected  to  the  other  extreme,  and  dried  to  a  husk.  I 
keep  mine  on  shelves  in  the  green-house,  and  seldom  lose  one 
in  a  hundred.  If  it  be  an  object  with  the  cultivator  to  have 
the  names  perpetuated  from  year  to  year,  each  plant  should 
have  a  small  label  affixed  to  the  old  stalk,  by  means  of  small 
brass  or  copper  wire,  as  twine  is  very  apt  to  get  rotten. 

Cape  bulbs,  and  such  tuberous  loots  as  are  cultivated  in 
pots,  on  account  of  their  tenderness,  should  be  kept  dry  after 
the  foliage  is  decayed,  until  within  about  a  month  of  their 
period  of  re-germinating,  at  which  time  they  should,  after 
having  been  deprived  of  their  suqilus  offsets,  be  re-potted 
in  good  fresh  earth. 

There  are  some  descriptions  of  bulbous  and  tuberous  roots 
that  need  not  be  taken  up  oftener  than  once  in  two  or  three 
years,  and  then  only  to  deprive  them  of  their  young  offsets, 
and  to  manure  the  ground.  These  will  be  described  here- 
after under  their  different  heads. 

In  the  articles  which  follow,  I  have  named  the  preferable 
season  for  planting  the  various  kinds  of  bulbous  and  tuberous 
roots ;  but  as  some  bulbs  will  keep  in  good  condition  several 
months,  there  can  be  no  objection  to  retaining  such  out  of  the 
ground,  to  suit  any  particular  purpose  or  convenience. 


67 
DIRECTIONS  FOR  THE  CULTIVATION 

OF 

BULBOUS  AND  TUBEROUS-ROOTED   PLANTS. 


AMARYLLIS. 

Of  this  genus  of  flowering  bulbs  there  are  about  eighty- 
species,  and  upward  of  one  hundred  varieties;  they  are  natives 
of  South  America,  and  in  Europe  are  generally  kept  in  the 
hot-house  ;  some  of  the  varieties  are  hybrids,  produced  by 
cultivation ;  these  succeed  very  well  in  the  green-house,  and 
in  this  country  we  frequently  have  very  perfect  flowers  in 
the  borders.     A  few  of  the  choicest  varieties  are  as  follows  : 

Amaryllis  Aulica,  or  Crowned  Amaryllis,  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful;  it  produces  four  flowers,  about  seven  inches  in 
diameter,  on  an  erect  stem,  about  two  feet  and  a  half  high, 
with  six  petals  of  green,  crimson,  and  fine  transparent  red 
colours. 

A.  Ballola  produces  three  or  four  rich  scarlet  flowers  on 
the  stem,  each  about  five  inches  in  diameter ;  there  are  two 
or  three  varieties  of  this  species,  all  beautiful. 

A.  Johnsoniensis.  The  stem  of  this  variety  rises  about  two 
feet,  and  exhibits  four  beautiful  scarlet  flowers,  with  a  white 
streak  in  the  centre  of  each  petal,  each  flower  about  six 
inches  diameter.     It  sometimes  produces  two  stems. 

A.  Longifolia,  or  Crinum  Capense,  is  perfectly  hardy ;  it 
flowers  in  large  umbels  of  a  pink  colour,  inclining  to  white, 
and  is  a  good  garden  variety. 

Amaryllis  formosissima,  or  Jacobean  Lily,  produces  a  flower 
of  great  beauty ;  although  a  low-priced  plant,  it  throws  out 
gracefully  its  glittering  crimson-coloured  petals,  which  have 
a  brilliancy  almost  too  intense  for  the  eye  to  rest  upon. 

The  A.  Lulea  produces  its  bright  yellow  flowers  in  October 


68  ANEMONES    AND    RANUNCULUSES. 

in  the  open  air ;  but  the  bulb  requires  a  little  protection  in 
winter,  or  it  may  perish. 

The  most  suitable  soil  for  the  Amaryllis  is  a  clean  new  earth, 
taken  from  under  fresh  grass  sods,  mixed  with  sand  and  leaf 
mould ;  the  latter  ingredient  should  form  about  a  third  of 
the  whole,  and  the  sand  about  a  sixth.  Some  of  the  varieties 
may  be  planted  in  pots  during  the  month  of  April,  and  others 
will  do  very  well  in  the  open  ground,  if  planted  early  in  May, 
in  a  sunny  situation.  The  bulb  should  not  be  set  more  than 
half  its  depth  in  the  ground ;  as,  if  planted  too  deep,  it  will 
not  bloom ;  the  plant  deriving  its  nourishment  only  from  the 
fibres.  When  the  bulbs  have  done  flowering,  such  as  are  in 
pots  should  be  watered  very  sparingly,  so  that  they  may  be 
perfectly  ripened,  which  will  cause  them  to  shoot  stronger 
in  the  ensuing  season,  and  those  in  the  ground  should  be 
taken  up,  and  preserved  in  sand  or  paper. 


ANEMONE  AND  RANUNCULUS. 

These  are  medium,  or  half-hardy  roots,  producing  beau- 
tiful little  flowers  of  various  hues,  and  are  highly  deserving 
of  cultivation.  The  bulbs  should  be  planted  in  a  fresh,  well 
pulverized,  loamy  soil,  enriched  with  cow  dung.  If  planted 
in  the  garden,  the  beds  ought  not  to  be  raised  above  one  inch 
higher  than  the  alleys,  and  the  surface  should  be  level,  as  it 
is  necessary  for  the  prosperity  of  these  plants,  rather  to  retain 
than  to  throw  off  moisture.  The  plants  will  generally  sur- 
vive our  winters ;  but  it  is  always  safest  to  plant  them  in  such 
a  manner  that  a  temporary  frame  of  boards  can  be  placed 
over  them  when  the  weather  sets  in  severe  ;  and  if  they  are 
to  be  shaded  while  in  flower,  the  posts  intended  for  tne 
awning  may  be  fixed  in  the  ground  at  the  same  time ;  these 
will  serve  to  nail  the  boards  to,  and  thus  answer  two  purposes. 

Anemones  and  Ranunculuses  may  be  planted  during  Octo- 
ber or  November,  in  drills  two  inches  deep,  and  six  inches 


CROCUS  AND  CROWN  IMPERIAL. 


apart ;  the  roots  should  be  placed  with  claws  downward,  about 
four  inches  distant  from  each  other,  and  covered  up,  leaving 
the  bed  quite  level.  The  awning  need  not  be  erected  over 
the  beds  until  they  come  into  bud,  which  will  be  early  in 
May ;  the  extreme  heat  of  the  American  climate  is,  however, 
unfavourable  to  the  perfect  development  of  their  beautiful 
blossoms  in  ordinary  seasons,  even  when  shaded. 


CROCUS. 

These  are  hardy  little  bulbs,  said  to  be  natives  of  Swit- 
zerland. There  are  in  all  about  fifty  varieties  of  this  humble, 
yet  beautiful  plant,  embracing  a  great  variety  of  hues  and 
complexions,  and  their  hardiness,  and  earliness  of  flower, 
offer  a  strong  motive  for  their  cultivation.  The  bulbs  may 
be  planted  in  October  or  November,  in  rows  about  six  inches 
from  the  edgings ;  if  in  beds,  they  may  be  placed  in  ranks 
of  distinct  colours,  about  four  inches  apart,  and  from  one  to 
two  deep,  which  will  afford  to  their  admirers  considerable 
amusement  and  gratification,  and  that  at  a  very  early  season. 
They  are  generally  in  full  perfection  early  in  April. 


CROWN  IMPERIAL. 

This  is  a  species  of  the  genus  Fritillaria,  of  which  there 
are  about  twenty  species  and  varieties,  chiefly  natives  of 
Persia.  These  squamose  bulbs  produce  tall,  luxuriant  sterns, 
embellished  with  green  glossy  foliage,  and  flowers  of  various 
hues  ;  but  there  are  only  a  few  of  the  most  curious  cultivated, 
perhaps  on  account  of  their  odour,  which  to  some  persons 
is  disagreeable.  They  are,  however,  very  hardy,  and  pro- 
duce singular  and  showy  flowers  in  April  and  May,  suited 
to  make  variety  in  the  flower  borders,  in  which  they  may  be 
planted  in  August  and  September,  from  three  to  four  inches 
deep ;  they  need  not  be  taken  up  every  year  as  other  bulbs., 


70  COLCHICUM,  CYCLAMEN,  AND  DOUBLE  DAHLIA. 

and  when  they  are,  which  may  be  about  every  third  year,  they 
ought  not  to  be  retained  too  long  out  of  the  ground  before 
they  are  replanted. 


COLCHICUM. 

This  curious  little  bulb,  being  planted  in  the  month  of 
June,  about  two  inches  deep,  produces  its  flowers  in  Octo- 
ber ;  it  then  dies,  without  leaving  any  external  appearance 
of  seed ;  they,  however,  lie  buried  in  the  bulb  all  the  winter, 
and  in  the  spring  produce  a  stalk  with  seed,  which  get  ripe  by 
the  first  of  June,  just  in  time  to  plant  for  flowering  in  the  ensu- 
ing autumn.     How  wonderful  are  the  provisions  of  Nature  ! 


CYCLAMEN. 

There  are  several  species  of  the  Persian  Cyclamen  which 
are  worthy  of  cultivation  in  pots ;  the  varieties  Coum  and 
Persicum  will  bloom  in  a  green-house,  or  warm  room,  from 
January  to*Api#,  if  planted  in  good  light  compost  early  in 
September.  The  foliage  of  these  plants  is  of  a  dark  green 
velvet  colour;  and  the  flowers  of  the  vaiiety  Coum  are  of  a 
dark  crimson  colour ;  those  of  the  variety  Persicum  are  of  a 
delicate  French  white,  tipped  with  pink,  and  their  fragrance 
is  similar  to  that  of  the  wild  rose. 


DOUBLE  DAHLIA. 

This  may  with  propriety  be  denominated  one  of  the  most 
important  perennial  tuberous-rooted  plants  that  can  be  intro- 
duced into  a  garden,  and  from  the  circumstance  of  its  having 
become  so  fashionable  of  late  years,  I  have  felt  anxious  to 
furnish  in  thisf  work  a  catalogue  of  all  the  choicest  varieties 
attainable  j  I  therefore  applied  for  this  purpose  to  Mr.  G.  C. 
Tliorburn,  who,  from  a  regular  correspondence  with  connois- 


DOUBLE    DAHLIA.  71 

seurs,  both  in  England  and  America,  becomes  acquainted 
with  all  the  most  beautiful  and  rare  varieties  ;  and  he  has 
kindly  furnished  a  list  and  description  of  about  one  hundred, 
including  the  choicest  seedlings  of  the  last  two  years,  which 
will  be  cultivated  foi  the  first  time  in  America,  in  his  garden 
at  Astoria,  next  year ;  plants  from  which  will  be  for  sale  at 
No.  15,  John  street.  To  these  I  have  added  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  varieties,  most  of  which  I  have  had  under 
cultivation  in  my  own  garden,  and  which  may  be  justly 
denominated  pre-eminent. 

In  making  this  selection,  several  superb  varieties  are 
omitted,  not  because  they  are  undervalued,  but  for  the  sake 
of  brevity,  which  in  a  work  of  this  kind  must  be  consulted. 
Those  marked  thus  t  are  native  American  varieties.  Those 
marked  thus  *  obtained  the  greatest  number  of  premiums 
at  the  various  Floricultural  and  Horticultural  exhibitions  in 
Great  Britain,  as  well  as  in  our  own  country.  There  are, 
perhaps,  fifty  more  in  this  Catalogue  not  far  beneath  them, 
but  none  are  marked  except  those  which,  from  having 
been  tested  in  this  climate,  can  with  confidence  be  recom- 
mended as  being  free  and  perfect  bloomers.  The  choicest 
seedlings  of  last  year  which  have  been  purchased  in  England 
at  from  fifteen  shillings  to  five  pounds  sterling  each,  are 
marked  thus  §.  It  may  be  necessary  to  observe,  that  many 
of  our  choice  old  varieties,  as  well  as  several  of  the  new 
ones  hereinafter  described,  have  not  been  offered  in  compe- 
tition at  public  exhibitions  ;  these  are,  therefore,  not  to  be 
undervalued  for  want  of  the  star  or  asterisk,  and  it  is  pre- 
sumed that  the  brief  description  given  of  the  different  shades 
will  be  sufficient  to  govern  amateurs  in  their  choice. 


CATALOGUE  OF  DOUBLE  DAHLIAS. 


t  Denotes  American  Seedlings.  *  Free  Bloomers.  §  New  Varieties. 

♦Admiral  Stopford,   Trentfield's,  very  dark,  cupped  petals;  fine 
formed  flower. 

Alba  Purpurea,  Young's,  white,  edged  with  purple. 

Alexander,  Miller's,  bright  orange  buff. 

Alphonse,  Bavais's,  primrose,  edged  with  violet. 

Alkoenig,  light  scarlet;  extra  large  flower. 
§  Andromeda,  Collison's,  primrose,  tipped  with  carmine. 

Andrew  Hoffer,  Holmes *st  bright  maroon,  cupped  petals. 

Antler,  Keynes's,  vivid  scarlet ;  fine  formed  flower. 

*  Antagonist,  Bragg's,  pure  white  ;  excellent  formed  flower. 
f  Apollo,  Schmitz's,  clear  golden  yellow,  cupped  petals. 

*  Arethusa,  Brown's,  bright  violet  purple  ;  very  fine. 

*  Asmodeus,  very  dark  puce  ;  novel  and  pretty  variety. 
Athlete,  Chereau's,  beautiful  lilac  ;  extra  fine  shape. 
Beauty  of  Chelmsford,  Wick's,  white,  edged  with  lavender. 
Beauty  of  the   Plain,    Sparry's,   white,    deeply  margined  with 

rosy  purple. 
Beauty  of  Wakefield,  Barrett's,  white,  edged  with  light  purple. 

*  Beauty  of  Sussex,  Mitchell's,  delicate  pink,  edged  with  cherry 

colour  ;  a  free  bloomer. 
§  Berryer,  Turner's,  black  ;  extra  fine  dark  show  flower. 

*  Beeswing,  Drummond's,  rich  crimson,  splendidly  cupped, 
f  Black  Prince,  Kent's,  extra  dark  maroon. 

§  Bohemian  Girl,  Proctor's,  white,  edged  with  purple  ;  fine  form. 

Bridemaid,  Brown's,  white,  edged  with  purple  ;  free  bloomer, 
f  Brooklyn  Rival,  Kent's,  beautiful  light  orange  ;  fine  shape. 

Burnham  Hero,  Church's,  superb  deep  crimson, 
f  Caleb  Cope,  Schmitz's,  mottled  rosy  lilac  ;  free  bloomer. 
§  Captain  Warner,  Girling's,  light  purple,  elegantly  shaped. 

Charles  XII.,  Miller's,  plum  colour,  tipped  with  white. 

Charles  XII.,  Pamplin's,  fine  rosy  crimson. 

*  Cheltenham  Queen,  Hodge's,  white,  round  petals,  finely  cupped. 
Cinderella,  Dubras's,  beautiful  cherry  colour,  tipped  with  white. 

*  Cleopatra,  Atwell's,  beautiful  light  yellow ;  a  fine  show  flower. 

^  Cloth  of  Gold,   Edivards's,  extra  bright  golden  yellow ;  superb 
show  flower. 


DAHLIA    CATALOGUE.  73 

t  Denotei  American  Seedling*.  •  Free  Bloomew.  §  New  Varieties. 

*  Colonel  Baker,  dark  claret ;  fine  form  and  free  bloomer. 

*  Constantia,  Cox's,  white,  beautifully  shaded  with  bright  pink. 
Countess  of  Liverpool,  beautiful  shaped  scarlet. 

§  Dawn  of  Day,  Mitchell's,  light  lilac  ;  elegantly  formed  flower 
f  Desdemona,  Schmitz's,  primrose,  tipped  with  rosy  lilac. 
Donna  Antonia,  Dickens's,  purple,  tipped  with  white.  / 

*  Dowager  Lady  Cowper,  rosy  pink  ;  extra  fine  formed  flower. 
Duchess  of  Richmond,  Fowler's,  fine  orange  and  pink. 
Duke  of  Bedford,  Dennis's,  large  crimson  maroon. 

Duke  of  Wellington,  Smith's,  rich  scarlet  crimson,  finely  cupped. 

*  Duke  of  York,  Keynes's,  light  scarlet,  beautifully  cupped 
Dupetit  Thouars,  Mielliez's,  deep  yellow,  laced  with  red 
Eclipse,  Catleugh's,  vermilion  rose  ;  superb  flower. 

Eleame  de  Beaucour,  Girling's,  white,  edged  and  striped  with 

bright  purple. 
Engenia,  crome  yellow,  elegantly  tipped  with  violet. 
Enterprise,  Dodd's,  beautiful  clear  buff  colour ;  fine  form. 

*  Essex  Champion,  Turvell's,  bright  orange  ;  of  superior  form 
Evecque  de  Bayeux,  Oudin's,  splendid  velvety  maroon. 

*  Eximea,  Girling' s,  bright  rose,  finely  cupped. 

§  Fantasii,  Mielliez's,  bright  yellow,  edged  with  scarlet. 

Favorite,  Dodd's,  white,  tipped  with  rosy  crimson. 

Francis,  Jones's,  white,  margined  with  purple. 
§  Fulwood  Glory,  Teebay's,  light  crimson  ;  extra  fine  form; 
f  General  Houston,  BrielVs,  light  purple  ;  fine  free  bloomer. 
§  Golden  Fleece,  Union's,  bright  orange  ;  splendid  flower. 

Golden  Rule,  beautiful  yellow  ;  finely  formed. 
§  Goldfinch,  crimson  and  yellow ;  extra  fine  fancy  variety. 

Grace  Darling,  Dodd's,  bright  salmon  ;  fine  formed  flower. 

Grandis,  extra  large  ruby  purple. 
•Great  Mogul,  Atwell's,  extra  fine  shaded  crimson. 

Great  Western,  Bragg's,  light  purple,  mottled  with  crimson. 

*  Harlequin,  Dodd's,  white,  deeply  margined  with  scarlet, 
f  Henry  Clay,  Schmitz's,  dark  claret,  beautifully  cupped, 
t  Hero  of  the  States,  Kent's,  light  scarlet,  dark  centre. 

f  Hero  of  the  West,  Schmitz's,  rosy  carmine  ;  finely  formed. 

*  Hero  of  Stonehenge,  Whales' s,  dark  crimson ;  conical  form  ;  very 

fine  show  flower. 
$  Hon.   Mr.   Herbert,  Brown's,  bright  salmon   colour ;    exquisite 
form  ;  a  free  bloomer. 
Hope,  Neville's,  extra  fine  rose  colour  ;  free  bloomer. 


74  DAHLIA    CATALOGUE. 

t  Denotei  American  Seedlings.  *  Free  Bloomers.  §  New  Varieties. 

*  Illuminator,   Keynes's,   white,   edged    with   scarlet ;    similar   to 

"  Painted  Lady." 

*  Indispensable  White,  Tassart'sf  French  white ;  flowers  of  im- 

mense size. 
§Isis,    Salter's,   nankeen,    edged   with   white,   interspersed    with 

brown  ;  a  fancy  variety. 
Ithuriel,  Harrison's,  bronze,  delicately  shaded  with  pink. 
King  of  Lilacs,  Girling's,  beautiful  lilac  ;  free  bloomer. 

*  Lady  Ann  Murray,  Catleugh's,  white,  mottled  with  purple. 

*  Lady  Antrobus,  Sparry's,  white,  tinted  with  scarlet  lake ;   fine 

form,  and  free  bloomer. 

f  Lady  Ashburton,  Russell's,  pure  white,  elegantly  tipped  .with  car- 
mine lake. 

$  Lady  Cornwallis,  Whales's,  blush  white  ;  extra  fine  form. 
Lady  Catharine  Jermyn,  white,  mottled  with  crimson. 

$  Lady  Featherstone,  Sparry's,  white,  margined  with  purple. 

*  Lady  Sale,  Smith's,  yellow,  edged  with  brilliant  scarlet. 

§  Lady  Stopford,  Trentfield' s ,  lake  crimson  ;   fine  form  and  free 
bloomer. 

*  Lady  St.  Maur,  white,  delicately  tipped  with  lavender. 

f  Lady  Stewart,  Kent's,  white,  lightly  tinged  ;  fine  formed  flower. 

*  Lady  Von  Brendenstein,  Dcgen's,  white,  tipped  with  violet. 

§  Lady  of  the  Lake,  Keynes's,  white,  beautifully  margined  with 
rosy  pink. 

*  La  Lione,  Salter's,  creamy  white,  elegantly  edged  with  scarlet. 

*  La  Tour  du  Auvergne,  orange  scarlet ;  large  cupped  flower. 

Le  Grande  Bourdain,  Low's,  rosy  lilac,  centre  tinged  with  bright 
yellow, 
f  Lutea  Grandifiora,,.  Kent's,  light  yellow  ;  free  bloomer, 
f  Lutea  Perfecta,  Kent's,  sulphur  yellow  ;  finely  formed, 
f  Lutea  Speciosa,  Schmitz's,  extra  fine  shaped ;  yellow. 

*  Madame  Chauviere,  Girling's,  light  crimson,  tipped  with  white. 
Madame  Rignou,  buff",  tipped  with  pure  white.. 

Madame  Villabois,  white,  beautifully  tipped  with  vermilion. 
Madame  Wallner,  Girling's,  dark  maroon,  tipped  with  white. 

*  Marchioness  of  Exeter,   Widnatt's,  peach  blossom  ;    fine  form, 

cupped  petals. 

*  Marchioness  of  Ormonde,  Bourne's,  white,  tipped  with  violet-pur- 

ple ;  fine  show  flower. 
Marshal  Soult,  Elphinstone's,  delicate  lilac,  tinted  with  red.  ' 
§  Marquis  of  Aylesbury,  Sparry' s,  purple  ;  very  fine  show  flower. 


DAHLIA    CATALOGUE.  75 

t  Denotes  American  Seedlings.  *  Free  Bloomers.  §  New  Varieties. 

§  Magician,  Turner's,  orange,  edged  with  bright  yellow. 

Maid  of  Bath,  Davis's,  white,  edged  with  purple. 
§  Master  George  Clayton,  a  fine  fancy  show  flower. 

Maria,  Wheeler's,  deep  rose  ;  superb  form,  free  bloomer. 
§  Marguerite,  Bailey's,  beautiful  crimson,  tipped  with  white. 
§  Miss  Prettyman,  Turner's,  white,  margined  with  bright  purple. 
§  Mrs.  Caudle,  Turner's,  light  orange  ;  profuse  bloomer, 
j  Mrs.  Clay,  Kent's,  white ;  elegantly  formed,  and  slightly  shaded 

with  lilac, 
f  Mrs.  Rushton,  Buist's,  white,  tipped  with  rose  ;  a  free  bloomer. 

*  Mrs.  Shelley,  Mitchell's,  rosy  lilac  ;  fine  form  and  free  bloomer, 
f  Negro,  Schmitz's,  fine  dark  puce  ;  a  good  show  flower. 

•    Nihil,  Bailey's,  fancy  bright  red,  tipped  with  white. 
Novelty,  shaded  ruby  ;  fine  form  and  free  bloomer. 
Nonpareil,  Proctor's,  ruby  scarlet ;  first-rate  form,  and  showy. 
'  Ophir,  Edwards's,  fine  yellow,  sometimes  tipped  with  crimson. 

*  Orb,  very  fine  scarlet  crimson  ;  a  perfect  and  free  bloomer. 
§  Orlando,  Browrfs,  pale  rosy  lilac,  of  fine  form  and  habit. 

§  Pantaloon,  Dodd's,  a  first-rate  show  flower,  and  free  bloomer. 

Pickwick,  Cormack's,  purple  ;  fine  form  ;  a  good  show  flower, 
f  Pontiac,  Schmitz's,  orange,  edged  with  bright  red  ;  very  showy. 
$  Princess  Radsville,  Gaines's,  white,  edged  with  crimson  ;  fine 
formed  flower. 
Princess  Royal,  Harwood's,  fine  primrose  ;  good  form. 
Prince  of  Wales,  Dodd's,  fine  yellow,  cupped  petals. 
President  of  the  West,  dark  crimson  ;  fine  form. 
Punch,  Dodd's,  bright  purple,  striped  with  white  ;  fancy  variety; 
f  Purpurea  Perfecta,  Kent's,  light  purple  ;  very  compact ;  a  free 

bloomer. 
§  Queen  of  the  Fairies,  Cook's,  delicate  pink,  deeply  margined  with 
white  ;  very  fine. 

*  Queen  of  Jerpetuals,  Girling' s,  delicate  peach  blossom  ;  a  perfect 

formed  flower. 
Queen  of  Roses,  Widnall's,  pale  rosy  lilac  ;  very  fine. 
§  Queen  of  Sheba,  Wilkinson's,  pure  white  ;  elegantly  formed. 

*  Queen,  Widnall's,  peach  blossom,  finely  cupped;  superb  show 

flower,  and  free  bloomer. 
Queen  of  Trumps,  white,  edged  with  rosy  lilac. 
Raphael,  maroon  and  crimson  ;  a  good  show  flower. 
Reliance,  Widnall's,  bright  orange,  finely  cupped. 
Rival  Prince  of  Orange,  Widnall's,  bright  orange  ;  very  fine 


76 


DAHLIA   CATALOGUE. 


t  Denotes  American  Seedlings.  *  Free  Bloomers.  §  New  Varieties. 


f  Rival,  Schmitz's,  maroon,  shaded  with  red. 

Rienzi,  Widnall's,  crimson  and  puce  mottled. 
§  Rose  d' Amour,  Brown's,  extra  fine  dark  lilac  ;  free  bloomer. 

Rose  Superior,  Girling's,  delicate  rose  colour  ;  well  formed. 

Scarlet  Defiance,  Cowdery's,  superb  dark  scarlet ;  great  bloomer. 
§  Scarlet  Gem,  Turner's,  vivid  scarlet ;  an  extra  fine  show  flower. 

Sir  E.  Antrobus,  Keynes's,  fiery  crimson ;  a  fine  show  flower. 

Standard  of  Perfection,  dark  crimson  ;  good-formed  flower. 

Striata  Formosissima,  Bates's,  blush  white,  striped  and  spotted 
with  crimson. 

Suffolk  Hero,  Girling's,  fine  dark  maroon  ;  a  good  bold  flower. 

Sulphurea  Elegans,  Jones's,  sulphur  yellow ;  large  bloomer. 

Surprise,  Oakley's,  bright  scarlet,  tipped  with  white, 
f  T.  C.  Percival,  Schmitz's,  large  dark  crimson,  round  petals;  fine 
formed  flower. 

Trafalgar,  King's,  peach  blossom  pink  ;  good  form  and  showy. 

Triumph,  Milliez's,  white,  tinted  with  bright  purple. 

*  Ultimatum,  Bavais's,  bright  red  ;  elegantly  formed. 

*  Unique,  Ansell's,  light  yellow,  beautifully  tipped  with  red. 

*  Victory  of  Sussex,  Stanford's,  dark  maroon  ;  fine  show  flower. 
Victor,  Widnall's,  bright  primrose,  edged  with  crimson. 

*  Violet  Perfection,  Keynes's,  purple,  with  bright  violet  shade. 

*  Viscount  Ressigneur,  Dubras's,  purple,  tipped  with  white. 

§  Yellow  Standard,  Keynes's,  the  most  perfect  flower  of  its  colour, 
f  Yellow  Victory,  Schmitz's,  brimstone  yellow  ;  free  bloomer. 


DOUBLE    DAHLIA.  77 

As  some  amateurs  are  apt  to  fancy  that  the  most  economi- 
cal method  of  obtaining  a  supply  of  Dahlias  in  their  gardens, 
is  to  rtfise  them  from  seed,  it  may  be  necessary  to  remind 
such,  that  the  trouble  and  expense  of  raising  any  quantity 
of  seedlings,  is  equal  to  that  attending  the  cultivation  of  the 
6ame  number  of  the  choicest  varieties ;  and  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  the  greatest  proportion  of  a  plantation  may  be 
single,  and  semi-double,  and  that  but  few  double  flowering 
plants  can  be  expected,  equal  to  those  above  described,  it 
must  appear  evident  that  it  is  the  interest  of  such  persons  as 
desire  to  have  their  gardens  unencumbered  with  plants  that 
are  not  calculated  to  ornament  the  same,  to  procure  plants 
or  roots  of  such  varieties  as  have  been  tested,  and  highly 
recommended,  as  is  the  case  with  all  those  described  in  the 
preceding  Catalogue,  and  also  those  which  are  generally  sold 
by  the  regular  florists.  But  as  I  am  writing  for  young  gar- 
deners, it  may  be  necessary  to  state,  that  although  new  varie 
ties  are  usually  raised  from  seed  of  the  finest  double  flowers, 
some  successful  propagators  prefer  that  procured  from  semi 
double  varieties.  Sow  seed  toward  the  end.  of  February, 
or  early  in  March,  in  pots,  and  plunge  them  in  a  moderate 
not-bed,  or  seed  may  be  deposited  in  the  earth  of  the  beds, 
m  shallow  drills,  and  the  beds  attended  to  as  directed  in  the 
Calendar  for  February  and  March. 

Nothing  is  more  simple  than  the  cultivation  of  Dahlia 
roots.  In  March  or  April,  they  will,  if  properly  kept  through 
the  winter,  begin  to  sprout  around  the  old  stems  and  tubers. 
To  forward  these  sprouts  in  growth,  the  roots  should  either  be 
buried  in  light  earth  on  the  top  of  a  moderate  hot-bed,  or 
else  potted,  and  then  set  in  a  warm  room,  or  green-house, 
and  watered.  As  soon  as  the  shoots  have  grown  to  the 
length  of  two  or  three  inches,  the  roots  may  be  divided  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  have  a  good  strong  shoot  attached  to  a 
piece  of  the  tuber,  or  old  stem ;  each  of  these  will,  if  pro- 
perly managed,  make  a  plant.  Those  who  may  commence 
cultivating  at  an  early  season,  should  put  the  plants  thus 

7* 


78  DOUBLE   DAHLIA. 


separated  into  small  pots,  'and  keep  them  in  a  growing  state 
until  about  the  middle  of  May,  at  which  time  they  may  be 
turned  out  of  the  pots  with  the  balls  of  eartn  entirtf,  and 
planted  in  the  open  borders,  from  three  to  four  feet  from 
each  other  *  Let  the  ground  be  well  pulverized,  and  enriched 
with  good  old  manure,  before  the  plants  are  set  out.  If  the 
top  soil  be  shallow,  and  the  subsoil  inferior,  it  would  be  bene 
ficial  to  the  plants  to  dig  holes  to  the  depth  of  from  a  foot 
to  eighteen  inches,  and  then  replenish  the  earth  with  good 
rich  compost,  consisting  of  two  thirds  of  fresh  loam,  and  one 
third  of  well-rotted  manure. 

Many  cultivators  have  found  late  planting  to  suit  better 
than  early;  and  I  myself  have  had  more  perfect  flowers 
from  plants  set  out  about  the  middle  of  June,  than  from  those 
planted  in  May :  this  is  easily  accounted  for.  In  July  and 
August  the  weather  is  generally  hot,  which  brings  the  most 
forward  plants  into  bud  at  an  early  season,  and  in  the  event 
of  a  continuation  of  hot,  dry  weather,  such  buds  fail  to  pro- 
duce perfect  flowers ;  whereas  those  plants  which  are  set 
out  late,  keep  growing  through  the  hot  weather,  and  produce 
their  buds  just  in  time  to  receive  all  the  benefit  of  the  au- 
tumnal rains.  i?rom  a  consideration  of  these  circumstances, 
I  think  early  in  June  the  safest  time  to  set  out  Dahlia  plants ; 
and  if  those  persons  who  have  no  convenience  to  force  their 
roots,  set  them  out  in  May,  in  ground  prepared  as  before 
directed,  they  will  generally  succeed  very  well,  provided  they 
take  care  to  cover  them  in  case  of  a  cold  change  of  weather. 
The  roots  may  be  thus  cultivated  entire,  as  is  frequently 
done ;  but  if  it  be  desired  to  have  them  parted,  this  business 
can  be  easily  accomplished  without  disturbing  the  roots,  and 
the  offsets  may  be  planted  in  the  ground  separately  or  potted. 

*  In  order  to  obtain  an  extra  number  of  plants  from  any  choice  varieties, 
cuttings  are  frequently  taken  from  the  shoots  when  about  three  inches  in 
length,  which  are  planted  in  nursery-pots,  and  cultivated  in  hot-beds ;  they 
require  to  be  shaded  from  the  sun,  by  mats,  for  the  first  fortnight,  after 
which  they  may  be  gradually  inured  to  the  air,  and  treated  as  plants  raised 
in  the  ordinary  way. 


GLADIOLUS,  CORN-FLA<3,  OR  SWORD  LILT.  79 

Previous  to  setting  out  the  plants,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
provide  for  their  preservation  through  the  varied  changes  ot 
the  season,  or  a  sudden  gust  of  wind  may  destroy  the  expec- 
tations of  a  year.  The  branches  of  the  Dahlia  are  extremely 
brittle,  and,  therefore,  a  good  stout  pole,  or  neat  stake,  should 
be  driven  down  near  each  root,  of  a  suitable  height,  so  that 
the  branches,  as  they  progress  in  growth,  may  be  tied  thereto 
at  every  joint,  which  may  be  done  with  shreds  of  matting  or 
twine.  If  the  poles  be  in  readiness,  they  are  much  more  easily 
fixed-  at  the  time  of  planting  the  Dahlias  than  afterward ;  but 
it  may  be  done  at  any  time  after  the  ground  has  been  softened 
by  rain,  provided  it  be  not  delayed  too  long,  so  as  to  subject 
tho  plants  to  risk.  Sometimes  a  few  forward  buds  of  the 
Dahlias  will  exhibit  their  premature  beauties  to  the  beams 
of  a  July  and  August  sun ;  but  their  lustre  is  quickly  dim- 
med. The  latter  end  of  September,  sometimes  all  October, 
and  part  of  November,  witness  the  Dahlia  in  all  its  glory ; 
and  dwarf  plants,  cultivated  in  pots,  will  sometimes  blossom 
at  Christmas ;  but  they  require  more  than  ordinary  care,  at 
a  late  period  of  their  growth. 


GLADIOLUS,  CORN-FLAG,  OR  SWORD  LILY. 

Op  this  genus  of  bulbs  there  are  about  fifty  species,  natives 
of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  They  produce  flowers  of  vari- 
ous colours,  in  August  and  September,  and  are  well  worthy 
the  attention  of  those  who  cultivate  tender  exotic  plants. 
They  may  be  planted  in  September  or  October,  about  an 
inch  deep,  in  pots,  which  must  be  kept  in  a  green-house  or 
light  room,  and  watered  sparingly  until  they  begin  to  grow. 
The  following  are  known  to  be  superb  species  and  varieties  : 

G.  alatus,  or  Wing-Flowered,  producing  bright  orange 
coloured  flowers. 

G.  blandus  produces  flowers  of  a  beautiful  blush  roso 
colour. 


80  GLADIOLUS,  CORN-FLAG,  OR  SWORD  LILT. 

G.  Byzantinus,  or  Turkish  Flag,  has  large  delicate  purple 
flowers. 

G.  cardinalis.  This  variety  produces  very  large  flowers  of 
superb  scarlet,  spotted  with  white. 

G.  floribundus,  or  Cluster  Flower,  produces  large  flowers 
>f  white  and  pink  colour. 

The  Gladiolus  Natctlensis,  or  Psittacina,  is  perhaps  the 
most  desirable  to  cultivate  of  all  others.  It  blossoms  freely, 
and  the  colours  are  exquisitely  beautiful.  In  its  progress  of 
blooming,  it  exhibits  variable  colours,  as  vermilion,  red,  yel- 
low, green,  white,  crimson,  &c,  which  brighten,  as  the  flower 
arrives  at  perfection,  to  the  brilliancy  of  a  rainbow.  Another 
good  quality  displays  itself  in  the  bulb,  which,  if  properly 
managed,  will  yield  an  abundance  of  offsets ;  these  being 
cultivated,  will  flower  the  third  year  in  perfection,  and  thus 
continue  to  multiply  perpetually. 

I  have  named  September  and  October  as  the  time  for 
planting,  because  it  is  considered  the  preferable  season  for 
most  bulbs ;  but  if  these  be  preserved  in  good  condition 
through  the  wintei  until  early  in  April,  and  then  planted  in 
a  soil  consisting  of  about  one  half  fresh  loam,  equal  parts 
of  leaf  mould,  and  sand,  well  mixed,  they  may  be  forwarded 
in  a  warm  room,  green-house,  or  moderate  hot-bed,  until 
settled  warm  weather,  and  then  turned  out  of  the  pots  into 
a  border,  where  they  can  be  shaded  from  the  sun  at  noon- 
day ;  this  will  induce  each  of  them  to  throw  up  three  or  four 
stems,  from  three  to  four  feet  high,  each  stem  producing  five 
or  six  gorgeous  blossoms,  in  great  perfection.  Those  planted 
in  the  autumn  or  winter,  may  also  be  turned  out  of  the  pots 
in  June  ;  and,  from  the  fibres  having  taken  substantial  root 
in  the  soil  before  transplanting,  such  plants  may  be  taken 
up  again  in  August,  or  early  in  September ;  and  on  being 
planted  in  large  pots,  they  may  be  removed,  so  as  to  perfect 
their  bloom,  within  view  of  the  parlour  or  sitting-room,  which 
will  afford  considerable  amusement  and  gratification 


HYACINTH.  81 

HYACINTH. 

"Hail  to  thee  !  hail,  thou  lovely  flower ! 
Still  shed  around  thy  sweet  perfume, 
Still  smile  amid  the  Wintry  hour, 
And  boast  e'en  then  a  spring-tide  bloom. 
Thus  hope,  mid  life's  severest  days, 
Still  smiles,  still  triumphs  o'er  despair ; 
Alike  she  lives  in  pleasure's  rays, 
And  cold  affliction's  Winter  air." 

There  are,  as  has  been  already  stated,  about  thirteen 
hundred  varieties  of  this  family  of  plants,  comprising  all  the 
various  hues,  as  white,  pink,  red,  yellow,  blue,  purple,  crim- 
son, &c.r  and  sOme  of  those  with  various  coloured  eyes. 
They  begin  to  produce  their  flowers  in  the  open  borders 
early  in  April,  on  short  erect  stems  covered  with  florets  or 
small  bells  ;  each  floret  is  well  filled  with  petals  rising  toward 
the  centre,  and  is  suspended  from  the  stem  by  short  strong 
footstalks,  the  longest  at  the  bottom,  and  the  uppermost 
florets  stand  so  erect  as  to  form  a  pyramid.  A  plantation,  or 
bed  of  these,  has  a  very  beautiful  appearance,  provided  they 
are  well  attended  to.  In  planting  them,  which  should  be 
in  the  months  of  October  or  November,  care  should  be  taken 
to  have  the  colours  so  diversified  as  to  suit  the  fancy;  they 
may  be  placed  in  short  rows  across  the  bed,  about  eight  inches 
-^part,  and  from  three  to  four  inches  deep,  measuring  from 
rhe  top  of  the  bulb,  and  covered  up  at  the  setting  in  of  win- 
ter, as  before  recommended  for  bulbs  in  general. 

Those  who  may  have  a  fine  collection,  should  have  an 
awning  erected  in  the  spring,  to  screen  them  from  the  chill 
ing  blast,  and  also  from  drenching  rains  and  the  noonday 
sun  and  they  should  be  looked  over  as  soon  as  they  make 
their  appearance  above  ground,  to  see  if  they  are  all  perfect 
and  regular  ;  if  faulty  or  inferior  bulbs  should  appear  to  have 
been  planted  in  a  conspicuous  part  of  the  bed,  by  accident 
or  mistake,  they  can  be  taken  out,  and  by  shortening  the 
rows,  others  may  be  substituted  with  a  trowel.  When  all 
are  regulated,  look  over  them  frequently,  and  as  the  stems 


82  IRIS,  OR  FLOWER  DE  LUCE. IXIAS. 

shoot  up,  tie  them  to  wires,  or  small  rods,  with  shreds  of 
bass  matting  or  thread,  being  careful  not  to  injure  the  florets. 
In  about  six  weeks  after  they  have  done  flowering,  the  bulbs 
may  be  taken  up,  and  managed  as  recommended  for  bulbs 
in  general,  in  a  former  page. 


IRIS,  OR  FLOWER  DE  LUCE. 

There  are  two  distinct  species  of  plants  cultivated  under 
the  name  of  Flower  de  Luce,  each  consisting  of  several  varie- 
ties. The  bulbous  species  and  varieties  are  designated  as 
English,  Spanish,  Chalcedonian,  and  American.  These,  if 
introduced  into  the  flower  borders,  and  intermixed  with 
perennial  plants  of  variable  colours,  have  a  very  pretty 
appearance  when  planted  in  clumps  or  patches.  This  may 
be  done  in  the  month  of  October,  by  taking  out  a  spadeful 
of  earth  from  each  place  allotted  for  a  plant,  and  then  insert- 
ing three  or  four  bulbs,  about  two  inches  deep.  If  the  ground 
be  poor,  some  rich  compost  may  be  dug  in  around  the  spot 
before  the  bulbs  are  planted;  and  if  several  sorts  be  planted 
in  the  same  border,  let  them  be  of  various  colours.  The 
tuberous-rooted  are  of  various  colours,  as  blue,  yellow,  brown, 
and  spotted;  they  are  easily  cultivated,  and  flower  freely  in 
a  loose  soil  inclining  to  moisture,  if  planted  in  March  or  April. 


IXIAS. 


These  are  tender,  but  very  free  flowering  bulbs,  producing 
on  their  stems,  which  vary  in  height  from  six  inches  to  two 
feet,  very  delicate  flowers  of  various  colours,  as  orange, 
blush,  white,  purple,  green,  crimson,  scarlet,  and  some  have 
two  or  three  colours  blended  in  the  same  plant. 

There  are,  in  all,  upward  of  twenty  species,  which  may 
De  cultivated  in  the  green-house,  by  planting  the  bulbs  in 
pots  in  September  or  October,  and  placing  them  near  the 
light,  and  watering  them  sparingly  until  they  begin  to  shook 


JONQUILS LACHENALIAS LILIES.  83 

JONQUILS. 

This  is  a  hardy  race  of  bulbs,  and  produces  very  delicate 
yellow  flowers  early  in  May.  There  are  different  varieties, 
some  of  which  are  single  flowering,  and  others  double. 
Their  fragrance  is  very  grateful,  being  similar  to  that  of 
Jasmines.  The  bulbs  may  be  planted  about  two  inches 
deep  in  the  flower  borders,  or  in  pots,  in  October,  or  before 
the  setting  in  of  winter ;  they  flower  better  the  second  year 
than  in  the  first,  and,  therefore,  should  not  be  moved  and 
replanted  oftener  than  once  m  three  years. 


LACHENALIAS. 

These  are  tender  little  bulbs,  natives  of  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope.  There  are  supposed  to  be  in  all  about  forty  species 
and  varieties.  Those  most  cultivated  with  us  are  the  Lach- 
enalia  quadricolor,  and  L.  tricolor,  which  are  very  beautiful 
when  in  full  bloom,  exhibiting  flowers  of  various  colours  on 
a  stem  of  from  six  inches  to  a  foot  in  height,  and  much  irj 
the  character  of  Hyacinths.  The  colours,  which  are  yellow, 
scarlet,  orange,  green,  &c,  are  very  pure  and  distinct.  L. 
nervosa,  L.  orchoides,  L.  punctata,  and  L.  rttbida,  are  all 
excellent  species,  and  worthy  of  cultivation.  They  may  be 
planted  from  one  to  two  inches  deep,  in  small  pots,  in  the 
months  of  August  and  September,  and  watered  but  sparingly 
until  they  begin  to  grow. 


LILIES. 


There  are  several  plants  under  this  name,  of  different 
genera,  some  of  which  are  indigenous.  The  Canada  Lily, 
with  yellow  spotted  drooping  flowers,  may  be  seen  in  wet 
meadows  toward  the  last  of  June,  and  •  early  in  July.  The 
Philadelphia  Lily  blooms  also  in  July  j  its  flowers  are  red. 


84  LILIES. 

There  are  some  pure  white,  and  others  yellow,  growing  ra 
various  parts  of  the  country.  Among  the  foreign  genera 
are  several  species.  Of  the  Martagon,  or  Turk's  Cap  Lilies, 
there  are  some  beautiful  varieties;  as  the  Caligula,  which 
produces  scarlet  flowers ;  and  there  is  one  called  the  Crown 
of  Tunis,  of  purple  colour ;  beside  these,  are  the  Double 
Violet  Flamed,  the  White,  the  Orange,  and  the  Spotted ; 
these  are  all  hardy,  and  may  be  planted  in  various  parts  of 
the  garden,  by  taking  out  a  square  foot  of  earth,  and  then, 
after  manuring  and  pulverizing  it,  the  bulbs  may  be  planted 
therein  before  the  setting  in  of  winter,  at  different  depths, 
from  two  to  four  inches,  according  to  the  size  of  the  bulbs. 
Some  of  the  Chinese  varieties  are  very  beautiful,  as  the 
Tiger,  or  Leopard  Lily,  and  the  dwarf  red,  Lilium  con- 
color.  There  are  others  with  elegant  silver  stripes,  which 
are  very  showy,  and  there  is  one  called  Lilium  superbum, 
that  has  been  known  to  have  twenty-five  flowers  on  a  single 
stalk. 

Beside  those  above  enumerated,  there  are  some  others 
which  are  generally  cultivated  in  green-houses,  as  the  Calla, 
or  Ethiopian  Lily;  and  the  following,  which  have  been 
known  to  endure  our  Winters,  by  protecting  them  with 
dung,  &c. :  Lilium  longiflorum ,  in  two  varieties  ;  these  pro- 
duce on  their  stalks,  which  grow  from  twelve  to  eighteen 
inches  high,  beautiful  rose  coloured  flowers,  streaked  with 
white,  which  are  very  sweet-scented.  These  roots  are 
sometimes  kept  out  of  the  ground  until  spring,  and  then 
planted  in  the  flower  borders,  but  they  should  be  preserved 
carefully  in  sand  or  dry  mould.  Lilium  Japonicum :  of 
these  there  are  two  varieties,  which  produce  several  stalks 
at  once,  yielding  very  showy  flowers.  One  of  the  varieties 
is  blue  flowered,  and  the  other  produces  flowers  of  the 
purest  white. 


NARCISSUS.— ORNITHOGALUM,  OR  STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM.     85 

NARCISSUS. 

The  species  and  varieties  of  this  plant  are  numerous.  The 
Incomparable  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  produces  its  flowers  in 
April,  which  are  called  by  some  pasche,  or  pans  flowers,  by 
others,  butter  and  eggs ;  perhaps  because  their  bright  yellow 
petals  are  surrounded  with  large  white  ones.  Some  persons 
dislike  the  smell  of  these,  and  it  is  said  that  the  odour  has  a 
pernicious  effect  upon  the  nerves ;  out  the  white  fragrant 
double,  as  well  as  the  Roman,  and  Polyanthus  Narcissus,  are 
free  from  this  objection,  being  of  a  very  grateful  and  agree- 
able smell.  Some  of  these  are  justly  held  in  great  esteem 
for  their  earliness,  as  well  as  for  their  varied  colours.  The 
Grand  Monarque  de  France,  the  Belle  Legoise,  and  some 
others,  have  white  flowers  with  yellow  cups.  The  Glorieux 
has  a  yellow  ground,  with  orange  coloured  cups ;  beside 
these  are  some  white  and  citron  coloured,  as  the  Luna,  and 
others  entirely  white,  as  the  Rein  Blanche  and  JMorgenster. 
All  these  varieties  are  very  suitable  either  for  the  parlour  or 
green-house,  and  may  be  planted  in  pots,  from  October  to 
December,  from  two  to  three  inches  deep.  The  double  Ro- 
man Narcissus  are  very  sweet-scented ;  if  these  be  planted  in 
pots,  or  put  into  bulb  glasses  in  the  month  of  October,  they 
will  flower  in  January  and  February. 

Polyanthus  Narcissus  are  more  delicate  than  Hyacinths 
or  Tulips ;  when  they  are  planted  in  the  open  border,  they 
should  be  covered  about  four  inches  with  earth,  and  before 
the  setting  in  of  winter,  it  is  advisable  to  cover  the  beds  with 
straw,  leaves,  or  litter,  to  the  depth  of  six  or  seven  inches, 
and  to  uncover  them  about  the  middle  of  March. 


ORNITHOGALUM,  OR  STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM. 

There  are  about  fifty  varieties  of  these  bulbs,  natives  of 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  some  of  which  are  from  three  to 
live  inches  in  diameter,  and  shaped  similar  to  a  pear  j  others 

8 


86  OXALIS. 

are  much  like  Hyacinth  bulbs.  Among  those  cultivated  in 
America  are  the  O.  lactam,  and  the  O.  aureum ;  the  former 
produces  fine  white  flowers,  and  the  spike  is  about  a  foot  in 
length ;  and  the  latter  produces  flowers  of  a  golden  colour, 
in  contracted  racemose  corymbs.  The  O.  marilhnum,  01 
Sea  Squill^  is  curious ;  from  the  centre  of  the  root  rise  seve- 
ral shining  glaucous  leaves,  a  foot  long,  two  inches  broad  at 
the  base,  and  narrowing  to  a  point.  If  kept  in  a  green-house, 
these  are  green  during  the  winter,  and  decay  in  the  spring ; 
then  the  flower-stalk  comes  up  rising  two  feet,  naked  half 
way,  and  terminated  by  a  pyramidal  thyrse  of  white  flowers. 
These  bulbs  are  generally  cultivated  in  the  green-house, 
and  require  a  compost  consisting  of  about  one  half  fresh  loam, 
one  third  leaf  mould,  and  the  remainder  sand,  in  which  they 
may  be  planted  in  September.  When  cultivated  in  the  gar- 
den, they  should  be  planted  four  or  five  inches  deep,  and 
protected  with  dung,  &c.  They  produce  their  flowers  early 
in  June. 


OXALIS. 

The  Oxalis  is  a  native  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope ;  the 
species  are  numerous,  and  their  roots  are  very  small  bulbs, 
articulated,  jointed,  or  granulated,  in  a  manner  peculiar  to 
this  genus.  They  produce  curious  flowers  of  various  hues, 
yellow,  purple,  rose,  red,  white,  striped,  vermilion  colour,  &c. 
The  bulbs  should  be  planted  In  very  small  pots,  in  August 
and  September,  in  a  compost  consisting  of  about  two  thirds* 
loam,  and  one  third  leaf  or  light  mould,  and  treated  in  the 
same  manner  as  other  Cape  Bulbs.  They  increase  in  a  pe- 
culiar manner,  by  the  parent  bulb  striking  a  fibre  down  from 
its  base,  at  the  extremity  of  which  is  produced  a  new  bulb 
for  the  next  year's  plant,  the  old  one  perishing.  These 
plants  will  flower  freely  in  a  green-house. 


VIEONT.  87 

P^EONY. 

"  Pseonia  round  each  fiery  ring  unfurls, 
Bares  to  the  noon's  bright  blaze  her  sanguine  cuils." 

Of  this  genus  of  splendid  plants  there  are  known  to  be 
about  twenty  species,  and  as  many  varieties.  It  is  said  that 
the  Pceonia  officinalis  rubra,  or  common  double  red  Paeony, 
was  introduced  into  Antwerp  upward  of  two  centuries  ago, 
at  which  time  it  was  sold  at  an  enormous  price.  It  has  since 
been  highly  esteemed  in  Europe  and  America,  and  is  to  be 
found  in  all  well-established  gardens,  exhibiting  its  vivid 
crimson  petals  early  in  June.  Many  superb  species  have  of 
late  years  been  brought  from  China,  a  few  of  which  may  be 
noticed,  with  some  others  which  are  in  very  great  repute.  • 

Pceonia  alba  Chinensis  is  one  of  the  finest  of  the  herbaceous 
sorts.  The  flowers  are  white,  tinged  with  pink  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  petals. 

P.  edulis  ivhitleji  has  also  white  flowers,  which  are  very 
large  and  splendid. 

P.  edulis  fragrans,  is  a  fine  large  douTJle  scarlet  variety, 
and  produces  flowers  perfumed  like  the  rose. 

P.  humei  has  beautiful  large  double  dark  blush-coloured 
flowers. 

P.  paradoxa  Jimbriata  produces  fringed  double  red  flowers, 
which  are  very  beautiful. 

These  are  all  hardy,  and  may  be  planted  about  four  inches 
deep  in  the  garden,  in  October  or  November.  The  flowers 
exhibit  themselves  to  the  best  advantage  when  planted  on  a 
bed  that  is  elevated,  and  of  a  circular  form. 

The  following  are  half  hardy  and  half  shrubby;  these 
have  been  known  to  survive  the  winter  by  being  well  pro- 
tected, but  are  kept  much  better  in  a  green-house  ;  and  they 
also  exhibit  their  flowers  to  greater  advantage  than  when 
exposed  to  the  full  sun. 

P.  moutan  Bankskii,  or  Tree  Paeony,  produces  very  large 
double  blush  flowers  in  abundance,  wkh  feathered  edges  to 
every  petal.     This  variety  is  highly  deserving  of  cultivation. 


88  TULIP. 

P.  moutan  rosea  is  a  fine  rose-coloured  double  variety,  and 
produces  very  splendid  flowers. 

P.  moutan  papaveracea  produces  very  large  white  flowers, 
with  pink  centres.  This  splendid  variety  frequently  bears 
flowers  from  nine  to  eleven  inches  in  diameter. 

Beside  the  above,  are  several  others  of  various  colours, 
some  of  which  are  semi-double. 


TULIP. 


«  For  brilliant  tints  to  charm  the  eye, 
What  plant  can  with  the  Tulip  vie! 
Yet  no  delicious  scent  it  yields 
To  cheer  the  garden  or  the  fields  ; 
Vainly  in  gaudy  colours  dressed, 
'Tis  rather  gazed  on  than  caressed." 

The  Tulip  is  a  native  of  the  Levant,  and  has  been  in  cul- 
tivation nearly  three  centuries.  It  may  be  justly  entitled  the 
King  of  Flowers,  for  the  brilliancy  and  endless  combination 
of  all  colours  and  shades.  The  varieties  of  the  Tulip  are 
very  numerous,  and  are  divided  into  different  classes.  Those 
cultivated  in  regular  beds  by  amateurs  are  rose-coloured, 
bybloemen,  and  bizarres.  There  are  a  great  many  beautiful 
varieties,  denominated  Parrot  Tulips,  which  have  notched 
petals,  striped  or  diversified  with  green ;  and  also  some  very 
dwarfish  kinds,  both  single  and  double,  which  are  generally 
cultivated  in  parlours  and  green-houses. 

Mr.  T.  Hogg,  of  Paddington,  near  London,  has  published 
a  work,  entitled  '  A  Treatise  on  the  cultivation  of  Florists' 
Flowers,'  which  comprises  the  Tulip,  Carnation,  Auricula, 
Ranunculus,  Polyanthus,  Dahlia,  German  and  China  Asteis, 
Seedling  Heart's  Ease,  and  New  Annuals.  In  that  work, 
which  is  dedicated  to  Queen  Adelaide,  the  author  remarks 
that  the  cultivation  of  the  Tulip  is  one  of  the  most  fascina- 
ting and  pleasing  pursuits  imaginable,  and  that  when  "  The 
Tulip  mania  has  fairly  got  hold  of  any  one,  it  sticks  to  him 


TULIP.  89 

like  the  skin  on  bis  back,  and  remains  with  him  the  rest  of 
his  life."  He  instances  a  Mr.  Davey,  of  Chelsea,  as  being 
in  his  seventy-fifth  year,  and  in  whose  breast  the  fancy  for 
Tulips  was  so  predominant,  that  in  the  autumn  of  1832,  ho 
was  induced  to  part  with  a  hundred  sovereigns  for  one  sin- 
gle Tulip,  named  "  Miss  Fanny  Kemble."  Perhaps  a  better 
definition  of  what  constitutes  the  properties  of  a  good  Tulip, 
could  not  be  given  than  a  description  of  this  "  precious  gem, 
or  loveliest  of  all  Tulips ;"  but,  lest  my  readers  should  con- 
clude that  the  old  man  was  in  his  dotage,  I  would  inform 
them  that  this  favourite  bulb  was  purchased  of  the  executors 
of  the  late  Mr.  Clarke,  with  whom  it  originated,  and  that  it 
had  not  only  been  the  pet  of  its  owner,  but  had  excited  the 
envy  and  admiration  of  all  the  amateurs  who  went  to  view  it. 

"  This  precious  gem,  a  bybloemen  Tulip,  was  raised  from 
one  of  Mr.  Clarke's  seedling  breeders,  and  broke  into  colour 
three  years  ago ;  it  has  produced  two  offsets  since,  and  is 
adapted  to  the  second  or  third  row  in  the  bed ;  the  stem  is 
firm  and  elastic ;  the  foliage  full  and  broad,  of  a  lively  green  ; 
the  cup  large,  and  of  the  finest  form ;  the  white  pure  and 
wholly  free  from  stain ;  the  pencilling  on  the  petals  is  beau- 
tifully marked  with  black  or  dark  purple,  and  the  feathering 
uniform  and  elegant ;  it  preserves  its  shape  to  the  last,  the 
outer  leaves  not  sinking  from  the  inner ;  in  a  word,  it  is  con- 
sidered the  first  flower  of  its  cast,  and  the  best  that  has  ever 
been  produced  in  England." 

The  article  in  the  work  already  alluded  to,  on  the  culti 
vation  of  Tulips  alone,  occupies  ninety-six  pages ;  I,  there- 
fore, cannot  attempt  any  thing  more  than  an  abridgement  of 
the  author's  ideas  on  some  important  points.  Those  of  my 
readers  who  may  desire  full  information,  are  referred  to  the 
work  itself,  which  may  be  obtained  of  Mr.  G.  C.  Thorburn. 

The  following  description  may  serve  to  govern  the  choice 
of  amateurs.  Tulips  exhibited  at  the  show  are,  in  general, 
classed  and  distinguished  as  follows:  Flamed  Bizarre»y 
Feathered  Bizarres,  Flamed  Bybloemens,   Feathered  Bybloe- 

8* 


90  TULIP. 

mens,  Flamed  Roses,  Feathered  Roses,   and   Selfs,  or  plain 
coloured. 

A  Bizarre  Tulip  has  a  yellow  ground,  marked  with  pur- 
ple or  scarlet  of  different  shades  ;  it  is  called  Ranted  when  a 
broad  or  irregular  stripe  runs  up  the  middle  of  the  petals, 
with  short  abrupt  projecting  points,  branching  out  on  each 
side  ;  fine  narrow  lines,  called  arched  and  ribbed,  often  extend 
also  from  this  broad  stripe  to  the  extremity  of  the  leaves,  the 
colour  generally  appearing  strongest  in  the  inside  petals ;  a 
Tulip,  with  this  broad  coloured  stripe,  which  is  sometimes 
called  beamed  or  splashed,  is,  at  the  same  time,  frequently 
feathered  also. 

It  is  called  feathered  when  it  is  without  this  broad  stripe; 
but  yet  it  may  have  some  narrow  lines,  joined  or  detached, 
running  up  the  centre  of  the  leaf,  sometimes  branching  out 
and  curved  toward  the  top,  and  sometimes  without  any  spot 
or  line  at  all ;  the  petals  are  feathered  more  or  less  round 
the  edges  or  margin  inside  and  out ;  the  pencilling  or  feath- 
ering is  heavy  or  broad  in  some,  and  light  or  narrow  in 
others,  sometimes  with  breaks  or  gaps,  and  sometimes  close 
and  continued  all  round. 

A  Bybloemen  Tulip  has  a  white  ground,  lined,  marked, 
striped,  or  variegated  with  violet  or  purple,  only  of  various 
shades  ;  and  whether  feathered  or  flamed,  is  distinguished 
by  the  same  characters  and  marks  which  are  pointed  out 
and  applied  to  the  Bizarres  Tulips. 

A  Rose  Tulip  is  marked  or  variegated  with  rose,  scarlet, 
crimson,  or  cherry  colour,  on  a  white  ground ;  and  the 
Feathered  Rose  is  to  be  distinguished  from  the  Flamed  by 
the  same  rules  as  described  before ;  the  Rose  is  very  often 
both  feathered  and  flamed. 

A  Self,  or  plain-coloured  Tulip,  properly  so  called,  is  either 
white  or  yellow,  and  admits  of  no  farther  change ;  othei 
plain -coloured  Tulips,  whether  red  or  purple,  are  called 
breeders,  and  are  hardly  worthy  of  being  exhibited.  Mr, 
Hogg  informs  us,  that  66100,  say  $'500,  judiciously  expended 


TULIP.  91 

at  the  present  time,  will  give  a  moderate-sized  bed,  that 
shall  contain  the  greater  part  of  the  finest  varieties  grown ; 
such  a  bed  as  £250  would  not  have  purchased  twelve  or 
fourteen  years  ago. 

To  describe  minutely  the  mode  of  planting  a  regular  bed 
of  Tulips  would  exceed  our  limits ;  suffice  it  to  state  that 
the  name  of  every  bulb  should  be  written  in  a  book,  and 
that  they  should  be  so  classed  as  to  have  the  varied  colours 
show  advantageously  ;  to  this  end,  the  tallest  should  be  allot- 
ted for  the  middle  of  the  bed,  and  others  in  regular  grada- 
tion, so  as  to  have  the  most  dwarfish  on  the  sides.  The 
bulbs  must  be  covered  with  good  mould  to  the  depth  of  three 
inches  from  the  top  of  the  bulb  on  the  sides  of  the  bed,  and 
about  four  inches  in  the  middle.  Let  a  small  spoonful  of 
clean  drift  sand  be  used  around  each  bulb,  and  see  that  the 
bed  be  left  sufficiently  round  from  the  middle  to  the  edges. 
The  beginner  must  understand  that  no  unsightly  tallies,  or 
number  sticks,  are  to  distinguish  the  Tulips ;  but  that  he 
must  adopt  a  sort  of  ground  plan,  dividing  the  whole  "bed 
into  rows  of  seven  bulbs  across ;  for  example,  write  down 
the  names  and  places  of  the  Tulips  in  the  first  row,  and  con- 
tinue the  same  form  all  through  to  the  other  end  of  the  bed. 

Row  First, 

No.  1.  Fenelon,     ------  this  is  a  Bybloemen. 

2.  Duchess  of  Clarence,     -     -  "  Rose-coloured. 

3.  Charlemagne,      -     -     -     -  "  Bybloemen. 

4.  Louis  the  Sixteenth,     .-     -  "  Bybloemen. 

5.  Memnon,    ------  "  Bizarre. 

6.  Volney,      ------  "  Bybloemen. 

7.  Lady  Crewe,  -----  "  Rose-coloured 

Good  fresh  loam,  taken  from  under  healthy  grass  sods,  is 
the  most  suitable  soil  for  Tulips  to  grow  in ;  under  which 
should  be  buried,  to  the  depth  of  a  foot,  about  two  inches' 
thickness  of  well-rotted  cow  or  horse  droppings.  The  reason 
for  placing  the  dung  so  low  is,  that  the  fibres  may  get  down 


92  TUBEROSE. 

to  it,  (which  they  will  do,)  and  that  the  bulbs  may  not  be 
injured  by  it,  as  is  apt  to  be  the  case  if  too  much  dung  is 
used  around  them.  The  best  time  for  planting  the  bulbs  is 
early  in  November,  and  the  beds  should  be  made  a  fortnight 
previous,  in  order  that  the  earth  may  become  sufficiently 
settled. 

If  severe  frosts  set  in  after  the  Tulips  show  themselves 
above  ground  in  the  spring,  some  protection  should  be  given ; 
single  mats  placed  over  hoop  bends  answer  very  well ;  and 
at  the  time  of  blooming,  an  awning  should  be  erected  over 
them,  to  screen  them  from  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun,  which 
awning  should  be  sufficiently  spacious  to  admit  of  persons 
walking  under  it,  to  view  the  beautiful  flowers  to  the  great- 
est possible  advantage. 


TUBEROSE. 

This  fragrant  and  delightful  flower  has  been  cultivated  in 
English  flower  gardens  for  upward  of  two  centuries ;  there 
the  bulbs  are  generally  cultivated  in  pots  early  in  the  spring, 
and  transferred  to  the  flower  borders  as  soon  as  it  becomes 
settled  warm  weather ;  for  they  are  very  tender.  They 
generally  succeed  very  well  here,  if  planted  at  once  in  the 
open  border  toward  the  end  of  April,  and  produce  flowers, 
which  are  pure  white,  and  highly  odoriferous,  on  a  stem  three 
to  four  feet  high. 

The  bulbs  produce  a  number  of  offsets,  which  should  be 
preserved  with  the  parent  plants  through  the  winter,  and 
then  parted  off  and  planted  by  themselves,  in  April  or  early 
in  May,  to  produce  flowering  roots  for  the  ensuing  year. 
These  roots  thrive  best  in  a  light  rich  soil,  well  pulverized, 
in  which  they  should  be  planted  about. two  inches  deep, 
not  forgetting  to  take  them  up  again  before  the  approach  of 
winter. 


TIGER   FLOWER.  93 

TIGER  FLOWER. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  flower  treated  of  in  this  work  that 
is  more  beautiful  than  some  of  the  species  of  the  genus 
Tigridia.  Like  all  Mexican  bulbs,  these  are  tender,  and 
should  either  be  cultivated  in  the  green-house,  or  carefully 
preserved  until  settled  warm  weather,  and  then  planted  in 
good  light  soil,  in  a  sheltered  situation.  A  bed  of  these 
beautiful  flowers  would  afford  as  much  gratification  to  some 
amateurs  as  a  bed  of  Tulips.  » 

The  Tigridia  conchiflora  is  of  a  rich  yellow  colour,  tinged 
and  spotted  with  white  and  crimson ;  the  colours  are  very 
vivid  and  finely  contrasted.  The  Tigridia  pavonia  is  of  the 
brightest  scarlet,  tinged  and  spotted  with  brilliant  yellow. 
The  corolla,  which  is  about  four  inches  in  diameter,  is  com- 
posed of  six  petals ;  the  outer  petals  are  thrown  backward, 
and  exhibit  the  blossom  in  all  its  splendour,  which  exists 
only  a  single  day ;  but  as  if  to  compensate  for  its  transient 
visit,  each  plant  will  produce  a  number  of  flowers ;  and 
where  a  bed  of  them  can  be  collected,  they  will  amuse  their 
admirers  for  several  weeks  from  July  to  September.  In  such 
case  the  bulbs  may.  be  planted  about  two  inches  deep,  say 
nine  by  fifteen  inches  apart,  toward  the  end  of  April,  or  early 
in  May,  and  taken  up  again  in  October,  to  preserve  for  plant- 
ing the  ensuing  year. 


94- 


OBSERVATIONS 


THE  CULTURE  OF  BULBOUS  ROOTS, 


IN  POTS  OR  GLASSES,  IN  THE  WINTER  SEASON. 


The  culture  of  bulbous  roots  in  a  green-house,  or  light 
room,  during  the  winter,  is  comparatively  easy,  provided 
two  points  be  attended  to  :  the  first  is  to  keep  them  near  the 
light,  and  turn  the  pots  or  glasses  round  frequently,  to  prevent 
their  growing  crowded ;  and  the  second  is,  when  the  plants 
have  done  growing,  to  give  them  little  or.no  water;  for 
want  of  attention  to  these  points,  bulbs  have  been  known  to 
produce  foliage  year  after -year,  without  "showing  any  sign 
of  blossoms.  • 

All  bulbs,  at  a  certain  period  of  the  jear,  are  in  a  dor- 
mant condition  ;  this,  in  a  state  of  nature,  is  invariably  after 
the  seed  has  ripened  ;  but  as,  in  a  green-house,  many  of  this 
family  do  not  ripen  seed,  the  cultivator  should  watch  the 
period  when  the  leaves  show  indications  of  decay ;  at  which 
time,  the  supplies  of  water  should  be  lessened,  and  shortly 
afterward  the  earth  should  be  suffered  to  get  dry,  and  remain 
so  until  the  season  returns  when  the  bulbs  re-germinate. 

Many  sorts  of  bulbs  will  keep  best  in  pots,  under  the  soil, 
in  a  dry,  shady  place,  and  in  the  same  temperature  as  that 
in  which  they  are  in  the  habit  of  growing ;  but  others,  such 
as  the  Hyacinth,  Tulip,  Narcissus,  &c,  may  be  taken  out  of 
the  soil,  and  preserved  as  before  directed,  until  the  return 
of  the  proper  season  for  replanting. 

Dutch  bulbous  roots  intended  for  blooming  in  pots  during 
the  winter  season  should  be  planted  during  the  months  oi 


CULTURE  OF  BULBOUS  ROOTS  IN  ROOMS.        95 


« 


October  and  November,  and  be  left  in  the  open  air  until  it 
begins  to  freeze  ;  and  then  be  placed  in  the  green-house,  or  in 
a  room,  exposed  to  the  sun.  They  will  need  occasional  mo- 
derate waterings  until  they  begin  to  grow ;  then  they  should 
have  abundance  of  air  in  mild  weather,  a*nd  plenty  of  water 
from  the  saucers  underneath  .the  pots,  while  in  a  growing 
state  ;  and  should  be  exposed  as  much  as  possible  to  the  sun, 
air,  and  light,  to  prevent  the  foliage  from  growing  too  long,  or 
becoming  yellow. 

For  this  purpose,  single  Hyacinths,  and  such  as  are  desig- 
nated earliest  among  the  double,  are  to  be  preferred.  Sin- 
gle Hyacinths  are  by  some  held  in  less  esteem  than  double 
ones ;  their  colours,  however,  are  more  vivid,  and  their  bells, 
though  smaller,  are  more  numerous ;  some  of  the  finer  sorts 
are  exquisitely  beautiful ;  they  are  preferable  for  flowering 
in  winter  to  most  of  the  double  ones,  as  they  bloom  two  or 
three  weeks  earlier,  and  are  very  sweet-scented.  Roman 
Narcissus,  double  Jonquils,  Polyanthus  Narcissus,  double 
Narcissus,  and  Crocuses,  also  make  a  fine  appearance  in 
the  parlour  during  winter.  It  is  a  remarkable  circumstance 
of  the  Crocus,  that  it  keeps  its  petals  expanded  during  tole- 
rably bright  candle  or  lamp  light,  in  the  same  manner  as 
it  does  during  the  light  of  the  sun.  If  the  candle  be  removed, 
the  Crocus  closes  its  petals,  as  it  does  in  a  garden  when  a 
cloud  obscures  the  sun;  and  when  the  artificial  light  is 
restored,  they  open  again,  as  they  do  with  the  return  of  the 
direct  solar  rays. 

Hyacinths  and  other  bulbs  intended  for  glasses  should  be 
placed  in  them  about  the  middle  of  November,  the  glasses 
being  previously  filled  with  pure  water,  so  that  the  bottom 
of  the  bulb  may  just  touch  the  water  ;  then  place  them  for 
the  first  ten  days  in  a  dark  room,  to  promote  the  shooting  of 
the  roots ;  after  which  expose  them  to  the  light  and  sun  as 
much  as  possible ;  they  will  blossom  without  the  aid  of  the 
sun,  but  the  colours  of  the  flowers  will  be  inferior.  The 
water  should  be  changed  as  often  as  it  becomes  impure 


96         CULTURE  OP  BULBOUS  ROOTS  IN  ROOMS. 

■ 

draw  the  roots  entirely  out  of  the  glasses,  rinse  the  fibres  in 
clean  water,  and  also  the  glasses  inside  ;  care  should  be 
taken  not  to  suffer  the  water  to  freeze,  as  it  not  only  bursts 
the  glasses,  but  often  causes  the  fibres  to  decay.  Whether 
the  water  be  hard  or  soft,  is  of  no  great  consequence ;  but 
.  soft,  or  rain  water,  is  generally  preferred,  and  it  must  be 
perfectly  clear. 

Forced  bulbs  are  seldom  good  for  any  thing  afterward  j 
however,  those  who  wish  to  preserve  them,  may  immerse 
them  wholly  in  water  for  a  few  days ;  and  then,  having 
taken  them  out,  and  dried  them  in  the  shade  for  a  short 
time,  they  may  be  planted  in  a  good  soil,  in  the  garden,  where 
they  will  sometimes  flower  the  next  year.  It  does  not 
clearly  appear  in  what  way  the  water  operates  when  the 
bulb  is  wholly  immersed ;  but  it  is  certain  that  bulbs  so 
treated  increase  in  size  and  solidity,  and  have  an  incompara- 
bly better  chance  of  flowering  the  second  year,  than  those 
which  have  not  been  so  treated ;  most  probably  their  total 
immersion  enables  them  to  obtain  a  greater  proportion  of 
oxygen  from  the  water. 

Nosegays  should  have  the  water  in  which  their  ends  are 
inserted  changed,-  on  the  same  principal  as  bulbous  roots ; 
and  4  much  faded  nosegay,  if  not  dried  up,  may  often  be 
recovered  for  a  time,  by  covering  it  with  a  glass  bell,  or  cup, 
or  by  substituting  salt  water  for  fresh. 

Very  fine  Hyacinths  have  been  grown  in  a  drawing-room, 
in  the  following  novel  manner.  A  quantity  o£  moss,  classi- 
cally called  hypmim,  and  vulgarly  fog,  was  placed  in  a  water- 
tight box,  about  eight  or  nine  inches  deep,  into  which  the 
bulbs  were  placed,  at  the  end  of  September,  without  mould, 
and  duly  watered  ;  the  result  of  this  experiment  was  highly 
favourable. 


97 


OBSERVATIONS 


GENERAL  MANAGEMENT  OF  GREEN-HOUSE 
PLANTS. 


Having  already  exceeded  my  limits,  I  am  compelled  to  be 
brief  in  my  observations  on  such  ornamental  plants  as  are 
generally  cultivated  in  hot  and  green-houses.  This  descrip- 
tion of  plants  embraces  those  which  are  collected  from  vari- 
ous climates,  and  thrive  best  in  a  temperature  and  soil  simi- 
lar to  that  in  which  nature  first  produced  them :  hence  those 
who  propagate  exotic  plants  must  provide  suitable  composts, 
and  also  separate  departments,  where  the  different  degrees 
of  heat  may  be  kept  up,  according  to  their  nature  and 
description.  Some  of  these  are  raised  from  seed  sown  in 
the  spring,  others  by  layers,  suckers,  and  offsets  detached 
from  the  old  plants,  and  many  by  slips  or  cuttings,  planted 
at  different  seasons  of  the  year,  according  to  their  various 
natures  and  state  of  the  plants.  Many  kinds  require  the  aid 
of  glass  coverings  and  bottom  heat,  created  by  fresh  horse 
dung,  tan,  &c.     [See  Calendar  and  Index.] 

Were  I  to  attempt  to  give  directions  for  the  propagation 
of  all  the  varieties  of  useful  and  ornamental  exotic  plants 
cultivated  in  various  parts  of  our  country,  it  would  require 
several  volumes.  The  catalogue  of  green-house  plants  alone, 
kept  by  the  enterprising  proprietor  of  the  Linnaean  Botanic 
Garden,  at  Flushing,  occupies  fifty  pages  of  close  matter  ; 
it  would,  therefore,  be  impossible  to  do  justice  to  the  subject 
without  dividing  upward  of  two  thousand  species  of  plants 
into  classes,  and  treating  of  them  under  distinct  heads  ;  I 
Bhall,  therefore,  not  attempt  in  this  edition  to  write  largely 
on  the  subject. 

9 


98  MANAGEMENT    OP   GREEN-HOUSE    PLANTS. 

In  order  to  render  this  work  useful  to  those  who  may  wish 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  pleasure  of  nursing  some  of  those 
beauties  of  nature  in  dwelling  or  green-houses  during  the 
most  chilling  days  of  our  severe  winters,  and  to  afford 
amusement  to  the  ladies  at  a  season  when  our  gardens  are 
deprived  of  their  loveliest  charms,  I  shall  notice  some  essen- 
tial points  connected  with  the  management  of  green-house 
plants  in  as  explicit  a  manner  as  possible,  and  subjoin  a  brief 
catalogue  of  such  species  as  are  most  generally  cultivated, 
of  which  there  are  innumerable  varieties ;  descriptions  of 
which,  with  all  the  varied  features  of  the  floral  kingdom, 
may  be  found  in  the  voluminous  works  of  Loudon,  Sweet, 
Chandler,  and  other  English  writers.* 

The  generality  of  those  denominated  green-house  plants, 
and  which  are  kept  in  rooms,  should  be  placed  where  they 
can  have  the  light  of  the  -sun,  without  being  exposed  to 
frost.  Air,  heat,  and  moisture  are  essential  to  the  growth 
of  plants;  but  these  should  be  given  in  due  proportions, 
according  to  circumstances.     In  frosty  weather  they  should 


*  All  the  most  popular  English  books  on  this  subject,  are  imported  by 
Thorburn  &  Co.,  No.  15  John  street,  among  which  are  the  following  : 

•  Loudon's  Encyclopaedia  of  Plants,'  illustrated  by  engravings  and  with 
figures  of  nearly  ten  thousand  species,  exemplifying  several  individuals 
belonging  to  every  genus  included  in  the  work.  Completed  in  one  large 
volume,  Svo — $20. 

*  Loudon's  Encyclopaedia  of  Gardening,'  comprising  the  Theory  and 
Practice  of  Horticulture,  Floriculture,  Arboriculture,  and  Landscape  Gar- 
dening ;  including  all  the  latest  improvements.  A  new  edition,  in  one 
large  volume,  Svo.,  closely  printed,  with  upward  of  700  engravings. — $12. 

'Chandler  (of  London)  on  the  Camellia;'  containing  ample  directions 
for  the  cultivation  of  this  fine  plant,  with  a  superb  plate  of  all  the  present 
known  varieties  in  England.     1  vol.  4to. — $45. 

•  Hortus  Brittanicus  ;'  a  Catalogue  of  Plants  cultivated  in  the  gardens 
of  Great  Britain,  arranged  in  natural  orders. — $6. 

'  The  British  Flower  Garden  ;'  containing  coloured  figures,  and  descrip- 
tions of  all  the  most  ornamental  and  curious  plants  ;  with  their  scientific 
and  English  names ;  best  method  of  cultivation  and  propagation  ;  the 
heights  they  generally  attain  ;  or  any  other  information  respecting  them, 
that  may  be  considered  useful  or  interesting.  By  R.  Sweet,  F.  L.  S.,  &c. ; 
the  drawings  by  E.  D.  Smith,  F.  L.  S.  In  5  vols  ,  Svo.,  calf,  and  continued 
in  monthly  number*.     A  splendid  work. — $100. 


MANAGEMENT    OP    GREEN-HOUSE    PLANTS.  99 

be  kept  from  the  external  air,  and  watered  very  sparingly. 
When  water  is  necessary,  it  should  be  applied  in  the  morn- 
ing of  a  mild  sunny  day.  The  plants  should  be  kept  free 
from  decayed  leaves,  and  the  earth  at  the  top  of  the  pots 
should  be  sometimes  loosened  to  a  moderate  depth,  and 
replenished  with  a  portion  of  rich  compost. 

Plants  kept  in  private  houses  are  often  killed  with  kind- 
ness. The  temperature  of  a  room  in  winter  need  not  be 
more  than  ten  degrees  above  freezing.  If  plants  are  healthy, 
they  may  be  kept  so  by  attention  to  the  preceding  hints ; 
unhealthiness  generally  arises  from  their  being  subjected  to 
the  extremes  of  heat,  cold,  or  moisture,  or^rom  total  neg- 
lect* 

In  order  that  the  ideas  above  advanced  may  be  duly  con- 
sidered, it  may  be  useful  to  indulge  in  a  more  minute  de- 
scription of  the  nature  of  plants,  and  to  show  in  what  man- 
ner the  elements  operate  upon  them.  It  is  an  acknowledged 
fact,  that  the  roots  of  plants  require  moisture,  and  therefore 
penetrate  the  earth  in  search  of  it,  and  that  the  plants  them- 
selves are  greatly  nourished  by  air,  and  spread  their  branches 
and  leaves  to  catch  as  much  as  possible  its  enlivening  influ- 
ence. Light  also  is  so  far  essential,  that  there  can  be  no 
colour  without  it ;  witness  the  blanching  of  celery  and  en- 
dive, where  the  parts  deprived  of  light  become  white  ;  place 

*  An  amateur  florist  of  this  city  has  suggested  the  following  hints  in 
regard  to  the  management  of  plants  in  rooms.  He  says  that  he  keeps  his 
plants  in  a  room,  the  windows  of  which,  having  a  southern  exposure,  will 
admit  the  sun  all  day.  The  plants  are  placed  on  a  table  with  rollers  at- 
tached to  the  legs,  which  in  moderate  weather  is  kept  as  near  to  the  glass 
as  possible.  In  cold  weather  he  removes  the  table  into  the  middle  of  the 
room,  and  places  a  pail  of  water  near  the  plants  to  attract  the  frost.  He 
considers  it  a  great  mistake  to  suppose  that  plants  kept  in  warm  rooms  re- 
quire much  fire  heat,  on  the  contrary,  he  contends,  that  a  moderate  degree 
of  cold  will  agree  with  plants  much  better  than  a  very  high  temperature. 
He,  however,  considers  it  needless  to  attempt  to  keep  plants  in  a  cold 
room,  the  windows  of  which  face  the  north.  A  southeastern,  or  even 
eastern  exposure  may  answer  without  any  fire,  except  in  very  cold  wea- 
ther. It  may  be  observed,  farther,  that  excessive  moisture  injures  plants 
more  than  drought,  and  that  plants  in  general  do  not  require  water  while 
the  surface  of  the  edrth  in  the  pots  is  moist. 


100  MANAGEMENT    OF    GREEN-HOUSE    PLANTS. 

a  plant  in  almost  any  situation,  it  will  invariably  show  a  ten- 
dency to  turn  to  the  light;  the  sunflower  is  a  sti iking  exam- 
ple of  this  singular  fact.  As  the  leaves  supply  the  plant 
with  air,  and  the  fibres  of  the  roots  with  nourishment,  to 
strip  off  the  leaves  or  destroy  the  fibres  is  to  deprive  it  of 
part  of  its  means  of  support. 

Having  shown  that  air  and  water  are  essential  to  vege- 
tation, and  light  to  its  colour,  experience  shows  us  that 
heat,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  is  not  less  necessary  to 
the  growth  of  plants ;  it  is  therefore  requisite,  that  in 
taking  plants  into  our  rooms,  we  should  attend  to  these  par- 
ticulars. ^ 

The  internal  structure  of  plants  consists  of  minute  and 
imperceptible  pores,  which  serve  the  same  important  pur 
pose  in  the  vegetable,  as  veins  in  the  animal,  system ;  they 
are  the  medium  of  the  circulation  of  the  sap  in  the  former, 
as  the  veins  are  of  the  blood  in  the  latter ;  but  it  is  by  no 
means  settled  as  yet  by  physiologists  how  the  food  of  plants 
is  taken  up  into  the  system,  and  converted  into  their  con- 
stituent parts. 

From  the  foregoing  considerations  and  facts,  it  is  evident, 
that,  as  air,  heat,  and  moisture  are  each  essential  to  vegeta- 
tion, water  should  only  be  given  in  proportion  as  heat  and 
air  are  attainable.  In  the  summer  season,  green-house 
plants  may  be  exposed  to  the  open  air,  from  the  early  part 
of  May  until  the  end  of  September,  by  being  placed  on  the 
ledges  of  windows,  or  on  a  stand  erected  for  the  purpose, 
or,  in  the  absence  of  a  nursery  bed  of  flowering  plants,  they 
may  be  introduced  into  the  regular  flower-beds,  to  supply 
the  place  of  such  plants  as  may  wither  and  die  in  the  course 
of  the  summer,  by  being  turned  out  of  the  pots  and  planted, 
or  plunged  in  the  earth  with  the  pots. 

In  the  heat  of  the  summer  season,  plants  generally  re- 
quire water  every  evening,  and  in  the  absence  of  dews,  the 
earth  about  their  roots  may  sometimes  need  a  little  in  the 
morning;  but  experience  shows,  that  the  roots  of  plants 


MANAGEMENT    OF    GREEN-HOUSE    PLANTS.  101 

more  frequently  get  injured  from  being  soddened  with  wa- 
ter, tkan  from  being  kept  moderately  dry. 

Having  before  intimated  that  exotic  plants  will  generally 
thrive  best  in  a  temperature  and  soil  similar  to  that  in  which 
nature  first  produced  them,  it  may  be  necessary  to  remind 
the  reader,  that  we  have  the  means  of  obtaining  suitable 
composts  from  our  own  soils,  and  from  sand,  decayed  leaves, 
rotten  dung,  and  various  kinds  of  peat,  bog,  and  rock  mould  ; 
these  ingredients  being  judiciously  mixed  and  prepared, 
may  be  suited  to  all  the  various  kinds  of  plants,  and  should 
be  used  as  occasion  requires. 

As  the  roots  of  plants  make  considerable  growth  m  tne 
course  of  a  summer,  it  will  be  necessary  to  examine  them 
by  turning  them  out  of  the  pots ;  this  may  be  done  in  the 
latter  part  of  August  or  early  in  September,  at  which  time 
all  matted  and  decayed  roots  should  be  pared  off,  and  the 
plants  shifted  into  larger  pots,  which  being  filled  with  suita- 
ble compost,  and  watered,  will  be  ready  for  removal  into  the 
house  on  the  approach  of  cold  nights,  which  is  generally 
early  in  October. 

Green-house  plants  require  an  annual  pruning,  and  should 
be  occasionally  headed  down,  in  order  that  their  size  and 
appearance  may  be  improved ;  the  best  time  for  doing  this 
is  soon  after  they  have  done  flowering,  and  while  they  are 
in  a  growing  state. 

Having  endeavoured  to  furnish  my  readers  with  the  arti- 
ficial means  of  preserving  tender  plants  in  a  climate  foreign 
to  that  in  which  nature  first  produced  them,  I  shall  call  their 
attention  to  another  class  of  plants  well  calculated  for  the 
windows  of  a  house. 

I  allude  to  the  many  beautiful  varieties  of  the  Chinese 
Chrysanthemum ;  these  are  frequently  cultivated  in  pots, 
and  may  be  taken  from  the  ground  and  put  into  pots,  even 
when  in  full  flower,  without  injury,  and  when  the  bloom  is 
over,  returned  to  the  garden.  In  the  spring  following  they 
will  throw  up  an  abundance  of  suckers. 

9* 


102 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 


The  following  list  contains  some  of  tlie  best  varieties  of 
the  Chrysanthemum,  and  are  entitled  to  a  place  in  every 
flower  garden.  Jn  October  and  November,  when  the  wan- 
ing year  has  left  our  gardens  comparatively  cheerless,  these, 
with  their  various  colours,  deck  them  out  in  gayety,  and  pro- 
long the  semblance  of  summer.  They  are  perfectly  hardy, 
and  will  brave  our  severest  winters. 


The  gold  bordered  red  ; 
the  petals  tire  red, 
striped  with  golden 
yellow. 

White  quilled. 

Pale  buff,  or  orange. 

Changeable,  red  and 
orange  on  same  plant. 

Lilac  quilled. 

Rose-coloured,  or  pink. 

Lilac  and  white,,  change- 
able ,  the  flowers  vary 
to  lilac,  to  white  with 
a  purple  centre,  and 
to  pure  white. 

Dark  crimson,  or  Span 
ish  brown. 

Straw  coloured  quilled. 

Golden  yellow. 

Tasselled  white. 


Semi-double  quilled  do. 
Paper  white. 
Quilled  light  purple. 
Expanded  do.  do. 
Quilled  yellow. 
Double  Indian  yellow. 
Double  Indian  white. 
Dark  purple. 
Early  blush.    , 
Golden  Lotus. 
Quilled  purple. 
Starry  purple. 
Park's  small  yellow,  fine 
Quilled  salmon. 
Semi-double  quilled. 
Pale  orange. 
Two-coloured  red. 
Curled  buff,  or  salmon. 
Large  lilac. 
Late  pale  purple. 


Quilled  fine  yellow. 

Sulphur  do. 

Superb  clustered  do. 

Small  do. 

Single  flame  yellow. 

Quilled  pink. 

Quilled  orange. 

Early  crimson. 

Curled  lilac. 

Two-coloured  incurved. 

Blush  ranunculus. 

Late  quitted  purple. 

Tasselled  lilac. 

Tasselled  yellow. 

Yellow  waratah. 

Pale  lilac. 

Large  buff,  superb. 

Barclay's. 

Alton's. 

Sabine's. 


Chrysanthemums  may  be  propagated  from  hardy  cut- 
tings, and  each  plant  will  produce  several  suckers,  which 
may  be  separated  every  spring.  As  the  flowers  are  liable 
to  be  injured  by  the  rain  in  autumn,  it  is  advisable  to  take 
up  a  few  plants,  and  place  them  in  a  light  room  or  green- 
house, which  will  preserve  them  for  some  time. 

Many  people  keep  their  late  blooming  plants  in  the  house 
through  the  winter ;  this  is  a  bad  practice,  as  the  heat  and 
want  of  air  will  exhaust  or  destroy  the  plants  altogether.  Il 
the  flowers  fade  before  hard  frost  prevails,  it  is  best  either  to 
plunge  the  pots  into  the  ground  with  the  plants,  or  to  turn 
them  out  of  the  pots  and  plant  them,  with  the  balls  of  earth 
entire,  into  the  borders  of  the  flower  garden. 

Early  in  May,  such  as  may  be  intended  for  potting  the 
ensuing  season  should  be  divided  at  the  roots,  if  not  potted, 


CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         103 

and  planted,  each  kind  by  itself.  One  single  stem  is  suffi- 
cient for  a  moderate  sized  pot,  if  the  object  be  to  have  bushy 
plants ;  but  if  showy  plants  are  desired,  one  of  each  of  the 
varied  colours  may  be  selected  for  each  pot,  which  should  be 
sufficiently  capacious  to  hold  them  without  crowding  them, 
as  this  will  cause  the  plants  to  grow  weak  and  slender.  If 
such  happens  early  in  the  summer,  a  stocky  growth  may  be 
produced  by  clipping  the  tops,  «ind  they  will  bloom*in  great 
perfection  in  their  usual  season. 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  CATALOGUE  OF 
GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

To  promote  brevity  and  avoid  tautology,  I  here  submit 
the  following  statement : 

That  the  directions  accompanying  our  catalogue  of  An- 
nual, Biennial,  and  Perennial  Flower  Seed,  will  apply  to 
such  plants  in  the  green-house  department  as  are  ordinarily 
raised  from  seed. 

That  the  directions  annexed  to  the  catalogue  of  Flower- 
ing and  Ornamental  Shrubs,  including  propagation  by  cut- 
tings, layers,  &c,  are  applicable  to  a  great  portion  of  the 
plants  hereinafter  described,  and  that  the  exceptions  are 
shown  in  the  monthly  calendar. 

That  such  Bulbous  roots  as  are  generally  embraced  in 
green-house  catalogues,  from  their  being  adapted  to  artificial 
culture,  have  been  already  treated  of,  under  each  head,  in 
numerous  articles  ;  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

That,  with  the  exception  of  hot-house  plants,  which  re- 
quire a  uniformly  warm  climate  to  perpetuate  their  exis- 
tence, all  such  other  tender  and  half-hardy  plants  as  need 
protection  in  winter,  may  come  under  the  denomination  of 
green-house  plants ;  some  species  however,  may,  notwith- 
standing, be  preserved  in  frames,  pits,  cellars,  or  warm 
rooms. 


104        CATALOGUE  OP  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

That  many  of  those  5pecies  designated  thus  §  and  thus  f 
in  our  first  two  catalogues,  are  of  such  description ;  and  as 
they  have  been  treated  of  in  the  chapters  thereto  annexed, 
the  following  catalogue  and  explication  will  be  necessarily 
brief,  when  compared  with  one  general  catalogue  of  exotic 
plants. 


DESCRIPTIVE  CATALOGUE. 

Acacia.  Of  this  and  the  JVIimosa0  which  are  by  some  con- 
sidered as  one  genus,  there  are  upward  of  a  hundred  spe- 
cies and  varieties,  suited  for  artificial  culture.  The  blossoms, 
which  are  generally  straw  colour  and  yellow,  except  the  most 
tender,  some  of  which  are  crimson,  succeed  each  other  from 
February  to  June. 

Agapanthus.  A  beautiful  species  of  Lily,  producing  large 
blue  flowers  from  April  to  June ;  some  varieties  have  striped 
leaves  and  delicate  white  blossoms. 

'Aloe.  Of  this  genus  there  are  numerous  species  and  va- 
rieties, some  of  which  are  very  curious,  being  possessed  of 
all  the  varied  forms  and  figures  peculiar  to  succulent  plants. 
Some  species  flower  annually  from  March  to  September, 
and  all,  except  the  Century  Aloe,  blossom  frequently ;  the 
colours  are  generally  yellow,  pink,  and  red.  The  singular 
figure  and  habits  of  these  plants  render  them  desirable  for 
green-house  culture. 

Alstr&meria.  Of  this  genus  of  plants  there  are  several 
species,  which  have  tuberous  roots.  The  flowers  of  the  va- 
rieties are  of  different  shades,  as  rose  coloured,  scarlet,  yel- 
low, red,  &c. ;  and  some  are  variegated,  as  the  Alstrcemeria 
psittacina,  which  is  red,  yellow,  and  green,  and  the  A.  tri- 
color, which  is  black,  white,  and  yellow.  They  are  beauti 
ful  plants  when  kept  in  good  order. 

Arbutus,  European  Strawberry  Tree.  A  half-hardy  ever- 
green shrub,  of  which  there  are  several  species  and  varie- 


CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         105 

ties,  producing  crimson  and  pink  blossoms,  and  fruit  which 
remain  on  the  plant  a  considerable  time. 

Jlrdesia,  Chinese  Ardesia.  This  is  generally  cultivated 
as  a  hot-house  plant ;  and  if  kept  in  the  green-house,  should 
be  placed  in  a  warm  situation.  There  are  several  species, 
producing  oblong  shining  leaves,  pink  flowers,  and  red  ber- 
ries, which  are  very  ornamental. 

Aster  argophyllus,  Musk  Plant.  A  plant  of  no  great 
beauty,  but  esteemed  by  some  for  its  musky  fragrance; 
leaves  ovate,  lanceolate,  and  silky  beneath. 

Aucuba  Japonica.  A  half-hardy  shrub,  with  pale  green 
leaves  spotted  with  yellow.  It  produces  small  purple  blos- 
soms, but  is  desirable  for  its  foliage  only  :  to  preserve  which 
in  good  condition,  shade  in  the  summer  is  absolutely  ne- 
cessary. 

Azalea.  The  Chinese  species  of  Azalea  are  numerous 
and  beautiful,  producing  blossoms  of  various  hues,  as  white, 
purple,  scarlet,  yellow,  &c,  and  some  are  striped  and  spot- 
ted, which  succeed  each  other  from  February  to  May,  under 
good  cultivation .* 

Banksia.  A  genus  of  plants  named  in  honour  of  Sir 
Joseph  Banks,  of  which  there  are  over  twenty  species,  all 
curious  in  flower,  and  variable  in  foliage ;  colours,  yellow 
and  green.     They  generally  blossom  from  May  to  August. 

Beaufortia.  There  are  two  species  of  this  beautiful  shrub, 
yielding  scarlet  and  pink  flowers  from  the  sides  of  their 
stalks,  from  May  to  July. 

Bellis  perennis.  Daisy.  This  half-hardy  dwarf  species,  of 
which  there  are  several  varieties,  as  recorded  in  our  Peren 
nial  Catalogue,  are  worthy  of  farther  notice,  from  their  yield- 

*  A  skilful  florist,  Mr.  William  Russell,  has  some  hybrids  which  he 
raised,  by  crosses  between  the  different  species  of  Azaleas  and  Rhododen- 
drons, both  of  the  hardy  and  choicest  green-house  varieties.  He  has 
already  flowered  several  plants  which  partake  of  the  Rhododendron  in 
the  umbels,  and  embrace  all  the  good  qualities  of  the  Azalea^  He  intends 
to  propagate  these  rare  plants  for  sale,  at  his  establishment,  in  Brooklyn, 
Long  Island. 


106         CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

ing  thousands  of  button-formed  flowers  from  January  to  July, 
or  until  checked  by  the  summer  heat,  from  which  they  should 
be  screened,  by  being  planted  in  a  shaded  border  in  the 
spring.  The  colours  are  white,  red,  and  variegated,  and 
some,  called  Hen  and  Chicken  Daisies,  grow  in  clusters. 

Bletia  Tankervilli.  A  delicate  plant,  producing  spikes  of 
purple  flowers,  similar  to  the  Hyacinth,  from  April  to  July. 

Bouvardia.  Mexican  Bouvardia.  A  beautiful  plant,  pro- 
ducing brilliant  scarlet  flowers  from  May  to  September,  when 
carefully  cultivated. 

Baronia.  There  are  several  species  of  this  plant,  natives 
of  New  Holland;  the  flowers  of  some  are  star-like,  rose- 
coloured,  and  sweet-scented ;  in  perfection  in  April  and  May. 

Brunia.  This  species  of  plants  have  foliage  similar  to  the 
Erica,  but  the  leaves  are  three-cornered;  the  plants  when 
young  are  very  handsome.  Brunia  nodiflora  produces  chaste 
white  globular  flowers  in  abundance.  There  are  several  other 
varieties  highly  esteemed  by  amateurs. 

Brunsvigia  Josephines.  This  cape  bulb  produces  splendid 
rose-coloured  flowers  in  large  umbels,  on  a  stem  about  two 
feet  high.  There  are  several  other  species,  some  of  which 
produce  scarlet,  others  purple,  and  variegated  blossoms,  in 
perfection,  when  cultivated  in  a  warm  green-house. 

Buddha  madagascariensis.  This  plant,  when  properly 
cultivated,  will  blossom  freely  during  winter,  producing 
spikes  of  orange-coloured  flowers,  of  an  agreeable  fragrance. 

Buonapartea  juncea.  This  is  a  curious  low-growing  plant, 
with  long  narrow  leaves,  and  spikes  of  small  blue  flowers, 
which,  when  cultivated  in  a  warm  situation,  will  continue 
sometime  in  bloom. 

Burchellia.  A  dwarf  evergreen  shrub,  producing  orange- 
coloured  flowers  in  large  terminal  clusters,  from  March  to 
June. 

Cactus.  Of  this  family  of  plants  there  are  numeious 
species,  supposed  to  be  of  different  genera,  from  the  varia- 
tion of  their  character  and  habits.     Some  are  denominated 


CATALOGUE  OP  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         107 

Cereus,  others  Epiphyllwns,  Mamillarias,  etc.  The  night 
blooming  Cereus  is  much  celebrated.  They  all  belong  to  the 
hot-house,  but  succeed  well  in  a  warm  room  or  good  green- 
house. Some  are  formed  into  erect  pyramids,  others  are  of 
a  trailing  habit ;  and  all  produce  from  the  sides  of  their  suc- 
culent stalks  and  leaves,  beautiful  crimson,  scarlet,  white,  or 
pink  flowers,  from  March  to  August. 

Calceolaria      Of  this   species   of  delicate   dwarf  plants, 
there   are  several  splendid  varieties   annually  raised  from 
seed ;  producing  red,  yellow,  and  orange-coloured  flowers 
from  April  to  August,  when  shaded  from  the  noonday  sun ; . 
they  will  otherwise  suffer  from  heat. 

Calothamnus.  A  beautiful  evergreen  shrub,  similar  to  a 
dwarf  pine,  producing  scarlet  blossoms  from  the  old  wood, 
from  April  to  November. 

Callicoma  serratifolia.  A  beautiful  plant,  producing  tufted 
yellow  heads  of  flowers  from  May  to  July. 

Camellia.  Of  this  admired  winter-blooming  genus  of 
plants,  there  are  several  distinct  species,  the  varieties  from 
many  of  which  multiply  annually.  Its  durable  glossy  foliage, 
and  splendid  flowers,  which  excel  those  of  any  other  plant, 
will  insure  it  a  pre-eminence  in  every  green-house ;  as  in 
good  collections,  flowers  of  various  hues  may  be  gathered 
from  October  to  May. 

Cheiranthus.  Under  this  title  have  been  generally  em- 
braced all  those  fragrant  and  beautiful  half-hardy  species  of 
Biennial  Plants  known  as  Wall  and  Gilly  Flowers ;  the  lat- 
ter species  is  now,  however,  denominated  Mathiola  in  our 
catalogues.  The  beautiful  blossoms  and  delicious  fragrance 
of  these  families,  from  February  to  June,  entitle  them  to 
more  than  a  passing  notice.     Their  perfumes  are  exquisite. 

Cineraria  cruenta.  Canary  Aster.  A  dwarf  half-shrubby 
plant,  producing  purple  flowers  in  April  and  May. 

Cineraria  maritima.  Silvery-leaved  Ragwort,  or  Powdered 
Beau.  A  white  plant,  producing  bright  yellow  globular 
flowers  from  April  to  June  or  July. 


108         CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Cistus.  Rock  Rose.  A  half-hardy  dwarf  shrub,  of  which 
there  are  upward  of  twenty  species,  natives  of  Europe  ;  the 
flowers,  which  are  white  and  purple,  multiply  abundantly  in 
May  and  June. 

Citrus.  Orange,  Lemon,  &c.  This  genus  embraces  the 
Orange,  Lemon,  Lime,  Shaddock,  &c.,  of  each,  of  which 
there  are  several  varieties.  They  are  indispensable  in  a  good 
green-house,  for  their  handsome  evergreen  foliage,  and  odor- 
iferous blossoms,  and  beautiful  golden  fruit,  which  by  careful 
cultivation  may  be  kept  constantly  on  the  plants.  Those 
varieties  with  variegated,  yellow,  and  green  foliage,  are  very 
generally  admired. 

Clethra  arbor ea  variegata.  A  fine  sweet-scented  shrub, 
producing  spikes  of  white  downy  blossoms ;  the  leaves  are 
oblong-and  serrated,  having  a  gold-coloured  edge. 

Correa.  A  genus  of  dwarf  shrubby  plants,  consisting  of 
several  species,  producing  their  orange,  white,  red,  and  green 
blossoms  frequently  in  the  winter,  and  sometimes  in  May  or 
June. 

Coronilla  glauca.  A  desirable  green-house  dwarf  shrub, 
yielding  numerous  sweet-scented  yellow  flowers  in  clusters, 
from  January  to  April.  There  are  other  varieties  which 
blossom  in  summer. 

Cotyledon  orbiculata.  Cape  Navelwort.  A  succulent  plant, 
producing  finger-like  suckers  and  successional  joints,  which 
blossom  annually ;  the  curiosity  of'  the  foliage,  however,  is 
its  chief  recornmendation. 

Crassula  A  species  of  dwarf  succulent  plants,  producing 
scarlet  and  variegated  wax-like  flowers  from  April  to  June 
or  July. 

Crinum  amabile.  A  large  beautiful  flowering  bulb,  of 
which  there  are  several  species,  chiefly  calculated  for  hot- 
house culture,  where  some  varieties  frequently  yield  three 
stems  of  beautiful  crimson,  purple,  or  white  flowers  in  a 
year. 

Cypripedium  insignis.     This  species  is  known  by  the  name 


CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         109 

of  Lady's  Slipper  plant;  the  flowers,  which  are  green  and 
purple,  have  a  waxy  appearance,  and  are  similar  in  shape 
to  an  Indian  shoe.  It  should  be  cultivated  in  a  warm,  moist 
situation.  * 

Daphne  odor  a.  A  beautiful  dwarf  evergreen  shrub,  yield- 
ing white  fragrant  blossoms  in  many-flowered  terminal  heads, 
from  December  to  March.  There  are  other  species  and 
varieties,  one  of  which  has  its  leaves  edged  with  yellow. 

Dianthus.  Under  this  name  are  embraced  the  admirable 
species  of  Carnations,  Picotees,  Pinks,  Sweet  Williams,  &c, 
recorded  in  our  catalogue  of  Perennials;  and  which  are  in 
universal  esteem  for  the  fragrance  and  beauty  of  their  flow- 
ers, which  succeed  each  other  from  May  to  August.  They 
are  all  hardy,  except  the  Carnation  and  Picotee  tribes,  which 
are  well  deserving  green-house  or  frame  culture. 

Diosma.  A  dwarf  genus  of  heath-leaved  shrubs,  producing 
numerous  small  flowers  of  a  white  colour  from  March  to 
May.     Some  of  the  varieties  are  sweet-scented. 

Dryan(lrus.  To  this  genus  belong  several  species,  similar 
to  the  Banksias ;  they  are  delicate  plants,  producing  orange 
and  straw  coloured  thistle-like  flowers  in  abundance. 

Echeveria.  This  genus  of  succulent  plants  are  natives  of 
Mexico  and  California.  Some  of«the  species  produce  green 
and  red  blossoms ;  the  flowers  of  the  variety  pulvertdenta  are 
red,  and  the  foliage  is  covered  with  powder,  which  gives  it  a 
beautiful  appearance. 

Epacris.  This  is  a  native  of  New  South  Wales,  of  which 
there  are  several  species,  mostly  erect-growing  plants,  vary- 
ing from  two  to  four  feet;  the  leaves  are  small,  and  the 
blossoms,  which,  in  different  varieties,  are  crimson,  pink, 
purple,  and  white,  are,  under  good  cultivation,  abundant  from 
January  to  June. 

Eranthemum.  This  species  belong  to  the  hot-house,  and 
will  not  flower  in  perfection  without  plenty  of  heat.  The 
Eranthemum  pulchellum  produces  flowers  of  a  fine  blue  colour 
from  December  to  April ;  and  the  Eranthemum  bicolcr  will 

10 


110         CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

yield  purple  and  white  flowers  from  April  to  August,  under 
good  cultivation. 

Erica,  Heath.  Upward  of  five  hundred  species  and  vaiie- 
ties  of  this  plant  are  cultivated  in  Great  Britain,  where  a 
continued  succession  of  bloom  is  kept  up  from  January  to 
December;  the  most  prominent  colours  are  white,  scarlet, 
purple,  yellow,  and  red.  They  are  desirable  plants  to  culti- 
vate in  any  country,  as  they  furnish  material  for  the  bouquet 
in  winter,  but  they  must  be  screened  from  the  noonday  sun 
in  summer,  and  only  moderately  watered;  as  extremes  of 
drought  or  moisture  are  destructive  to  this  family  of  plants. 

Erylhrina,  Coral  plant.  There  are  several  species  of  this 
plant,  chiefly  adapted  to  the  hot-house,  producing  long  spikes 
of  crimson  or  scarlet  flowers.  Some  keep  them  in  good 
condition  in  a  green-house ;  they  must,  however,  be  well 
attended  to,  and  frequently  re-potted,  which  will  sometimes 
induce  them  to  bloom  two  or  three  times  in  a  year. 

Escallonia.  There  are  several  species  of  this  plant, 
some  of  which  will  survive  the  winters  of  our  Southern 
States.  When  cultivated  in  a  green-house  as  half-hardy 
shrubs,  they  yield  their  red,  white,  and  pink  flowers  through- 
out a  long  season. 

Enonymus.  This  plant  is  called  by  some  the  variegated 
Camellia*;  the  flowers  are  not  very  showy,  but  the  silvery 
and  golden  edged  foliage  of  the  different  varieties,  render 
them  very  attractive.     They  are  natives  of  China. 

Euphorbia.  There  are  several  species  of  this  plant  adapted 
to  the  green-house,  some  of  which  are  beautiful,  especially 
the  E.  splendens,  and  Poinsett's  scarlet,  or  Euphorbia  Poin 
seiti.  They  flower  freely  from  December  to  May,  if  kept  in 
a  warm  part  of  the  house. 

Eupatorium  elegans.  A  dwarf  plant,  producing  white 
sweet-scented  flowers  early  in  the  spring ;  to  promote  bushi- 
ness,  the  plant,  after  blossoming,  should  be  closely  pruned. 

Euiaxia  myrtifolia.  A  beautiful  little  evergreen  shrub ; 
foliage  small,  but  very  neat,  furnishing  numerous  red  and 


CATALOGUE  OP  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         Ill 

yellow-coloured  blossoms  from  March  to  May,  under  good 
culture. 

Ficus  elastica,  India-rubber  tree,  and  Ficus  austrdlis,  are 
both  evergreen  plants,  and  grow  luxuriantly  in  a  green- 
house ;  the  foliage,  which  is  large  and  glossy,  is  pink  on  the 
under  side. 

Ficus,  Fig  Tree.  A  plant  easily  cultivated,  of  which 
there  are  many  species  and  varieties,  which,  kept  in  pots  or 
tubs,  in  a  temperature  adapted  to  the  Orange  tree,  will  fruit 
freely,  and  ripen  two  crops  a  year. 

Fuchsia,  Lady's  Ear-drop.  Of  this  beautiful  shrub  there 
are  several  varieties,  producing  clusters  of  small  scarlet 
flowers,  the  stamens  of  which  are^encircled  with  a  petal  of 
purple ;  in  bloom  from  April  to  September. 

Gardenia,  Cape  Jasmine.  A  very  popular  evergreen 
plant,  producing  white  fragrant  rose-like  flowers  from  May 
to  August.  There  .are  several  species  and  varieties,  some 
of  which  are  more  dwarfish  than  others,  but  all  are  desirable. 

Gelsemium  nitidum,  Carolina  Jasmine.  A  beautiful  climb- 
ing evergreen,  producing  in  the  month  of  May  large  yellow 
trumpet-like  blossoms,  of  delicious  fragrance. 

Gloxinia.  A  desirable  herbaceous  plant,  of  which  there 
are  several  varieties,  yielding  beautiful  showy  flowers; 
colours,  blue,  lilac,  and  white. 

.  Gnaphalium,  Everlasting  Flower.  Of  this  plant  there  are 
several  species  or  varieties,  some  of  which  yield  clusters  of 
yellow  flowers,  and  others  red,  from  March  to  June. 

Gnidia,  Flax-leaved  Gnidia.  A  dwarf  shrub,  of  which 
there  are  several  vaiieties,  furnishing  pretty  tubular  and 
corymbose  straw-coloured  flowers  in  the  winter  and  spring. 

Grevillea.  There  are  several  species  of  this  evergreen 
dwarf  shrub,  which  are  very  handsome  in  flower  and  foliage. 
The  flowers  of  some  grow  in  racemose  spikes,  and  of  others 
on  flowering  branches  ;  the  colours  are  white,  rose,  green, 
and  straw  or  light  yellow.  They  yield  seed,  and  are  easily 
cultivated. 


112         CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Heliotropium,  Peruvian  Heliotrope.  A  species  of  soft 
shrubby  dwarf  plants,  which,  when  cultivated  in  a  warm 
situation,  will  yield  abundance  of  delicate  blue  or  purple 
flowers  from  January  to  September. 

Helychrysum,  Eternal  Flower.  There  are  several  species 
and  varieties  of  this  plant,  producing  soft  downy  foliage  and 
durable  flowers,  which,  if  cut  before  they  are  too  far  advanced, 
will  retain  their  splendour  several  years. 

Hibbertia.  A  species  of  climbing  evergreen  shrubs,  which 
yield  fine  yellow  flowers  in  succession  from  May  to  Septem- 
ber, under  good  culture. 

Hibiscus  Chinensis.  This  half-hardy  herbaceous  plant  is 
worthy  of  a  place  in  the -green-house,  as  some  species  will 
yield  flowers  six  inches  in  diameter,  if  well  attended  to  and 
frequently  watered  ;  the  colours  are  crimson  and  blush. 

Hovea.  This  is  a  pea-flowering  evergreen  shrub,  of  which 
there  are  several  species,  natives  of  New  South  Wales.  The 
Hovea  celsii  is  a  beautiful  runner,  yielding  numerous  blue 
flowers. 

Hoya,  Wax  Plant.  A  fine  climbing  species,  adapted  to 
the  hot-house  ;  the  leaves  being  succulent,  green,  and  fleshy, 
they  require  considerable  heat  and  but  little  water.  Some 
produce  pink  flowers,  and  others  white,  in  April  and  May. 

Hydrangea  hortensis.  The  Hydrangea  is  a  well-known 
deciduous,  half-hardy,  soft-wooded  shrub,  producing  large 
pink  balls  of  blossom,  when  cultivated  in  a  shaded  border, 
from  May  to  October;  and  by  mixing  iron  dust  from  a 
blacksmith's  shop  with  the  soil,  or  by  growing  the  plants  in 
swamp  earth,  or  mould  from  decayed  leaves,  the  flowers 
will  become  blue. 

Hypericum,  St.  John's  Wort.  A  half-hardy  little  plant, 
producing  yellow  flowers  from  April  to  June.  There  are 
several  species,  some  producing  scarlet  blossoms. 

Jllicum,  Aniseed  Tree.  A  dwarf  species  of  shrub,  the 
leaves  of  which,  when  rubbed,  smell  like  anise ;  some  pro- 
duce red,  and  others  yellow  flowers,  in  March  and  April. 


CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.        113 

Indigofera,  Indigo  Tree.  A  free  flowering  shrub,  of  which 
there  are  several  species ;  the  flowers,  which  grow  in  long 
pinnacles,  are  red,  yellow,  and  pink. 

Jacarandus.  A  genus  of  evergreen  shrubs,  of  easy  cul- 
ture, containing  five  species,  most  of  which  produce  blue  or 
purple  flowers,  on  loose  branching  pannicles,  in  abundance. 

Jambosa  mdgaris.  This  species  of  evergreen  shrub  is 
generally  called  Rose  Apple,  from  its  producing  rose-scented 
fruit,  which  is  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  eatable.  There 
are  several  varieties,  yielding  either  white,  rose,  green,  or 
straw-coloured  flowers  in  erect  spreading  stamens.  They 
are  of  easy  culture. 

Jasminum,  Jasmine.  Of  this  favourite  genus  there  are 
several  species,  of  various  complexions.  The  Catalonian 
Jasmine,  or  J.  grandiflorwn,  produces  white  fragrant  blos- 
soms in  winter;  the  Indian  Jasmine,  or  J.  odoraiissimum, 
and  also  the  J.  revolulum,  yield  very  sweet-scented  yellow 
flowers  from  April  to  June,  and  the  J.  officinale,  a  climbing 
plant,  blossoms  through  the  summer. 

Justicia.  The  plants  of  this  genus  are  generally  cultiva- 
ted in  the  hot-house ;  some  produce  scarlet  flowers  in  large 
terminale  spikes,  from  December  to  March,  and  others 
purple. 

Kennedia.  A  beautiful  evergreen  climber,  of  which  there 
are  several  species,  producing  blossoms  of  various  hues,  as 
scarlet,  blue,  crimson,  and  purple,  from  February  to  June. 

Lag  erstr  ovinia.  A  half-hardy  deciduous  plant,  the  roots 
of  which,  if  planted  in  the  garden  in  March,  will  produce 
large  spikes  of  red  flowers,  from  May  to  August. 

Lantana.  A  genus  of  dwarf  shrubs,  which  being  culti- 
vated in  the  hot-house,  or  a  warm  green-house,  will  yield 
their  blossoms  in  April  and  May;  the  species  are  of  va- 
rious colours ;  yellow,  orange,  pink,  white,  purple,  and  va- 
riable. 

Laurus  nobilis,  Laurel.  This  evergreen  shrub  is  by  some 
esteemed  for  its  fragrant  leaves ;  there  are  several  species 

10* 


114        CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

distinguished  as  sweet  bay,  royal  bay,  &c,  and  some  species 
are  without  scent. 

Lavendala,  Lavender.  A  species  of  soft-wooded,  half- 
hardy  plants  with  narrow,  scented  leaves,  yielding  spikes  of 
fragrant  blue  flowers  in  May  and  June. 

Lechenaultia  formosa.  A  dwarf  plant  with  heath-like 
foliage  and  bright  scarlet  blossoms ;  in  bloom  a  long  season, 
under  good  culture. 

Leplospermum.  This  genus  is  somewhat  celebrated  from 
the  leaves  of  the  species  L.  scoparium  being  used  by  the 
crew  of  Captain  Cook's  ship  as  a  substitute  for  Tea,  the 
leaves  having  an  agreeable  bitter  flavour;  the  blossoms, 
which  are  small,  are  white. 

Leucadendron,  Silver  Tree.  A  neat  evergreen  shrub  with 
silver-like  foliage,  of  which  there  are  several  species,  all 
admirable  for  their  beauty. 

Linum,  Flax.  Two  species  of  this,  plant  are  worthy  of 
cultivation  in  a  green-house,  where  they  will  bloom  in  Feb- 
ruary and  March.  The  Linum  trigynum  produces  large  yel- 
low flowers  in  clusters,  and  Linum  ascyrifolium  yields  spikes 
of  blue  and  white  flowers,  which  are  similar  to  those  of  the 
Convolvulus. 

Lobelia.  There  are  several  species  of  this  plant,  which 
are  generally  herbaceous ;  they  produce  an  abundance  of 
little  flowers  of  brilliant  colours.  The  Lobelia  crinus  is  a 
pretty  trailing  plant,  yielding  numerous  blue  flowers  all  the 
summer. 

Lychnis  coronafd,  Coronet-flowered  Lychnis.  This  half- 
hardy  plant,  embraced  in  our  catalogue  of  Perennials,  is 
worthy  of  protection,  from  its  furnishing  trusses  of  beautiful 
orange  scarlet  flowers,  from  June  to  August.  As  it  yields 
no  seed,  the  roots  should  be  taken  from  the  ground  *m 
autumn,  and  returned  the  ensuing  spring. 

Magnolia.  Most  of  the  species  of  this  justly-admired 
genus  are  hardy,  and  blossom  in  the  summer;  there  are, 
however,  some  of  the  Chinese  varieties,  which,  cultivated 


CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         115 

in  a  green-house,  will  produce  their  beautiful  purple,  yel- 
low, and  white  blossoms,  from  January  to  April. 

Melaleucas.  A  beautiful  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  New 
Holland;  the  diveisity  of  their  foliage  and  singularity  of 
flowers,  some  of  which  are  scarlet,  and  shoot  from  the 
wood  like  fringes,  render  them  worthy  of  good  cultiva- 
tion. 

JWenettia.  This  is  a  desirable"  climber,  of  which  there 
are  several  species  ;  some  produce  variegated  flowers,  others 
bright  scarlet,  and  the  variety  cordiflora  is  curious  as  well 
as  beautiful. 

Mesembryanthemum.  A  genus  of  succulent  plants,  con- 
sisting of  hundreds  of  species  and  varieties,  chiefly  natives 
of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  They  vary  greatly  in  their 
forms,  attitudes,  and  habits  of  growth  ;  some  are  upright, 
others  procumbent ;  some  are  tjiiick,  others  cimeter  or  slen- 
der-leaved. They  are  all  singular,  and  many  of  them  beau- 
tiful. The  colours  of  the  flowers,  which  are  of  every  shade, 
are  great  ornaments  from  May  to  August ;  some  species  and 
varieties  are  cultivated  as  annuals  in  the  flower  garden, 
where  they  prove  a  great  acquisition. 

Metrosideros.  A  genus  of  Australasian  shrubs,  some  spe- 
cies of  which  are  willow  and  others  spear-leaved,  producing 
their  cones  of  scarlet  or  white  flowers  from  March  to  May. 

Myrtus,  Myrtle.  A  genus  of  dwarf  evergreen  shrubs, 
of  which  there  are  several  species  and  varieties  ;  the  foliage 
is  chiefly  glossy  and  fragrant,  yielding  numerous  small  flow 
ers.  There  are  some  species  known  as  Cape  Myrtles,  or 
Marsines,  which  also  yield  abundance  of  white  and  purple 
flowers  from  March  to  May. 

Nandina  domestica,  Japan  Nandina.  A  half-hardy  ever- 
green shrub ;  leaves  supra-decompound,  with  entire  lanceo- 
late leaflets ;  a  kind  of  foliage  that  is  very  rare. 

Nerium,  Oleander.  A  well-known  and  admired  shrub, 
yielding  clusters  of  rose-like  flowers  from  May  to  Septem- 
ber.    The  JVerium  splendens  is 'the  most  esteemed  of  the  red 


116        CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS 

varieties ;  the  true  double  white  and  striped  are  very  rare  j 
but  some  of  those  cultivated  for  sale,  producing  semi-double 
flowers,  are  by  no  means  desirable. 

Olca  fragrance,  Dwarf  Olive.  This  variety  of  the  Olive 
recommends  itself  to  notice,  for  its  dwarf  habit  of  growth, 
And  from  the  foliage  and  white  blossoms  being  highly  odo- 
riferous ;  from  March  to  May. 

Passijlora,  Passion  flower.  Of  this  celebrated  genus  of 
climbing  plants,  there  are  several  species  and  varieties, 
which  produce  splendid  flowers  of  various  colours,  red,  blue, 
white,  purple,  scarlet,  &c,  beautifully  contrasted,  and  some 
species  yield  fruit.  They  generally  blossom  from  May  to 
September,  and  some  will  flower  in  the  hot-house  in  winter. 

Pelargonium,  Geranium.  The  species  and  varieties  of 
this  beautiful  genus  is  supposed  to  exceed  a  thousand,  which 
are  of  every  character,  colour,  and  lineament,  and  some  so 
beautifully  blended  as  to  astonish  the  beholder ;  the  agree 
able  fragrance  also,  of  which  many  of  them  are  possessed, 
will  always  render  them  favourites  to  amateur  florists.  The 
best  blooming  season  is  from  April  to  June,  or  July. 

Pittosporum.  A  Chinese  evergreen  shrub,  with  handsome 
glossy  foliage,  yielding  numerous  white  clusters  of  flowers 
in  April  and  May,  which  are  of  delicious  fragrance.  There 
are  several  species,  one  of  which  is  variegated. 

Plumbago  capensis,  Cape  Plumbago.  A  beautiful  dwarf 
plant,  withoblong  leaves,  yielding  numerous  spikes  of  showy 
blue  flowers  nearly  all  the  summer. 

Polygata  cordati,  Heart-shaped  Polygata.  A  beautiful 
little  plant,  producing  abundance  of  rich  purple  flowers 
nearly  all  the  winter. 

Protea.  A  beautiful  race  of  plants,  the  foliage  of  which 
is  very  diversified,  and  the  flowers  also ;  being  red,  white, 
straw,  brown,  green,  and  purple,  and  most  of  these  colours 
are  frequently  to  be  seen  on  the  same  plant ;  in  flower  from 
March  to  June. 

Primula.     In  this  genus  are  embraced  all  the  varieties  of 


CATALOGUE  OP  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.        117 

the  Primrose,  Polyanthus,  Auricula,  Cowslip,  Oxlip,  &c, 
already  inserted  in  our  Biennial  and  Perennial  catalogues. 
The  flowers,  which  appear  early  in  spring,  are  mostly  sweet- 
scented,  and  of  various  colours,  red,  white,  yellow,  lilac, 
purple,  crimson,  &c,  which  in  some  are  beautifully  varie- 
gated. The  above  are  natives  of  England ;  besides  which 
are  two  varieties,  white  and  pink,  natives  of  China,  produ 
cing  umbels  of  flowers  from  January  to  May. 

Pyrus  Japonica  alba,  or  Cydonia  Japonica.  One  of  the 
earliest  flowering  dwarf  shrubs  of  the  garden,  producing 
beautiful  blush  flowers  ;  there  is  another  variety,  which  pro- 
duces scarlet  blossoms,  already  described  in  our  catalogue 
of  shrubs. 

Reseda,  Mignonette.  This  fragrant  little  plant  has  been 
already  treated  of  as  an  annual ;  it  may,  however,  be  kept 
under  cultivation  from  January  to  December,  by  sowing 
seed  at  different  seasons  in  a  green-house  or  warm  room. 

Rhododendron,  Rose  Bay.  A  beautiful  genus  of  plants, 
chiefly  natives  of  India,  furnishing  clusters  of  flowers  of 
various  shades,  as  purple,  scarlet,  or  crimson,  and  these  va- 
riegated in  spots  and  flakes ;  in  flower  from  March  to  May. 

Rosea,  Rose.  This  Queen  of  Flowers,  so  universally  ad- 
mired, nature  seems  to  have  distributed  over  the  whole 
civilized  world ;  and  varieties  have  been  so  multiplied  of 
late  years,  as  to  render  it  difficult  to  make  a  judicious  choice  ; 
many  of  the  new  varieties,  however,  being  shy  bloomers, 
are  not  so  desirable  for  green-house  culture  as  the  common 
China  Rose,  a  select  assortment,  of  which,  carefully  culti- 
vated, will  produce  blossoms  from  January  to  December. 

Rosmarinus,  Rosemary.  A  fragrant,  half-hardy,  slender- 
leaved  plant,  which  has  been  held  in  great  esteem  for  ages. 
In  some  parts  of  Europe  it  is  customary  to  distribute  sprigs 
among  the  guests  at  weddings  and  funerals. 

Ruella.  A  desirable  plant,  of  which  there  are  several 
species ;  they  produce  purple  or  scarlet  tunnel-shaped  flow- 
ers from  December  to  March. 


118        CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Salvia,  Mexican  Sage.  A  free-blooming  plant,  produ- 
cing in  the  different  species,  scav]ot  and  blue  flowers  in 
spiked  whorls  ;  cuttings  of  which,  if  taken  from  stock  plants 
in  the  green  house  early  in  spring,  and  planted  in  good  gar- 
den soil,  will  embellish  the  borders  three  or  four  months  of 
the  summer. 

Sempervivum  arboreum,  Tree  House  Leek.  A  succulent 
plant,  similar  to  the  common  house  leek,  on  a  dwarfish  stem  ; 
by  some  admired  as  an  evergreen.  • 

Stapelia.  A  genus  of  dwarf  succulent  plants,  producing 
beautiful  purple,  striped,  freckled,  and  star-like  flowers, 
within  six  inches  of  the  surface  j  in  its  varieties  from  May  t«* 
November. 

Stevia  serrata,  Vanilla-scented  Stevia.  This  plant,  al 
though  usually  cultivated  as  an  annual,  is  worthy  of  green- 
house culture,  from  its  affording  fragrant  and  ornamental 
materials  for  bouquets  the  whole  winter. 

Strelitzia  regina,  Queen's  Strelitz.  A  beautiful  dwarf 
plant,  producing  from  a  stalk  from  one  to  two  feet  long, 
several  flowers  of  a  bright  yellow,  contrasted  with  blue,  from 
May  to  September. 

Tecoma  capensis.  A  perennial  plant,  producing  orange- 
coloured  trumpet  flowers  in  clusters,  very  similar  to  the 
Bigonia  tribe,  toward  the  end  of  summer. 

Thea,  Tea.  Of  this  celebrated  Chinese  plant,  which  sup- 
plies a  great  portion  of  the  human  family  with  their  domes- 
tic beverage,  there  are  two  varieties,  Thea  viridis  and  Thea 
bohea.  The  plants,  when  .cultivated  in  a  green-house,  are 
by  no  means  of  rapid  growth,  nor  are  the  flowers,  which  are 
white,  of  any  great  beauty. 

Tussilago  fragrance.  A  half-hardy  herbaceous  Perennial 
plant,  by  some  much  esteemed  for  its  heliotrope-scented 
blossoms,  which  spring  up  in  clusters  from  December  to 
March. 

Verbena  triphylla,  named  in  some  catalogues  Moysa  citri 
odora      A  deciduous  shrub,  generally  admired  for  the  fra- 


CATALOGUE  OF  GREEN-HOUSE  PLANTS.         119 

grance  of  its  leaves,  which  is  its  chief  recommendation,  the 
blossoms,  which  are  white,  being  small. 

Verbena,  Splendid  Verbena.  A  tribe  of  plants  increasing 
in  variety  annually,  and  which  already  embrace  every  shade 
of  colour,  scarlet,  blue,  rose,  lilac,  white,  pink,  &c.  Planted 
in  the  flower  borders,  they  impart  beauty  and  variety  through 
the  summer,  and  cultivated  in  the  green-house,  they  embel- 
lish it  a  great  part  of  the  winter. 

Viburnum  tinus,  Laurustinus.  A  much-admired  half- 
hardy  evergreen  shrub,  producing  clusters  of  white  blos- 
soms from  January  to  May.  There  are  other  species  very 
similar  in  habit,  and  one  with  striped  leaves. 

Viola,  Violet.  Of  these  beauties  of  the  garden,  some  of 
which  are  denominated  "  Florist's  Flowers,"  there  are  up- 
ward of  a  hundred  species  and  varieties.  The  early  Violets 
are  highly  fragrant,  and  the  variety  and  beauty  of  the  Pan- 
sey  tribe  almost  exceed  description  or  conception.  As  these 
splendid  dwarf  plants  decorate  the  green-house  and  flower 
borders  from  January  to  December,  they  are  worthy  of  care- 
ful cultivation. 

Yucca  aloe-folia,  and  its  beautiful  variety,  variegata,  are 
desirable  plants  to  cultivate,  from  their  singular  appearance, 
contrasted  with  other  plants.  Their  blossoms,  which  are 
white,  grow  in  spikes,  but  the  plants  do  not  flower  much 
until  several  years  old. 


The  following  invaluable  compendium  is  from  the  pen  of 
John  Lindley,  F.  R.  S.,  Professor  of  Botany  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  London,  and  Associate  Secretary  of  the  Horticultural 
Society,  &c.  &c.  As  this  outline  embraces  a  brief  synopsis 
of  Horticulture  and  Floriculture,  it  is  well  adapted  as  an 
appendage  to  this  department  of  the  work. 


120 


AN  OUTLINE 


FIRST  PRINCIPLES  OF  HORTICULTURE. 


I.  Genreral  Nature  op  Plants. 

1.  Horticulture  is  the  application  of  the  arts  of  cultivation,  multipli- 
cation, and  domestication  to  the  vegetable  kingdom.  Horticulture  and 
Arboriculture  are  branches  of  Agriculture. 

2.  The  vegetable  kingdom  is  composed  of  living  beings,  destitute  of  sensa- 
tion, with  no  power  of  moving  spontaneously  from  place  to  place,  and 
called  plants. 

3.  Plants  are  organized  bodies,  consisting  6f  masses  of  tissue  that  is  per- 
meable by  fluids  or  gaseous  matter. 

4.  Vegetable  tissue  consists  either  of  minute  bladders,  or  tubes  adhering 
by  their  contiguous  surfaces,  and  leaving  intermediate  passages  where  they 
do  not  touch. 

5.  Tissue  is  called  Cellular  when  it  is  composed  of  minute  bladders, 
which  either  approach  the  figure  of  a  sphere,  or  are  obviously  some  modi- 
fication of  it,  supposed  to  be  caused  by  extension  or  lateral  compression. 

6-  When  newly  formed  it  is  in  a  very  lax  state,  and  possesses  great  powers 
of  absorption  ;  probably  on  account  of  the  excessive  permeability  of  its 
membrane,  and  the  imperfect  cohesion  of  its  cells. 

7.  Cellular  tissue,  otherwise  called  Parenchyma,  constitutes  the  soft  and 
brittle  parts  of  plants ;  such  as  pith,  pulp,  the  spaces  between  the  veins  of 
leaves,  the  principal  part  of  the  petals,  and  the  like. 

8.  Succulent  plants  are  such  as  have  an  excessive  developement  of  cel- 
lular tissue. 

9.  It  may  be  considered  the  most  essential  kind  of  tissue,  because,  while 
no  plants  exist  without  it,  many  are  composed  of  nothing  else. 

10.  Tissue  is  called  Woody  Fibre  when  it  is  composed  of  slender  tubes, 
which  are  conical  and  closed  at  each  end,  and  placed  side  by  side. 

1 1.  Woody  fibre  is  what  causes  stiffness  and  tenacity  in  certain  parts  of 
plants  ;  hence  it  is  found  in  the  veins  of  leaves,  and  in  bark,  and  it  con- 
stitutes the  principal  part  of  the  wood. 

12.  Vascular  Tissue  is  that  in  which  either  an  elastic  tough  thread  is 
generated  spirally  within  a  tube  that  is  closed  and  conical  at  each  end ;  or 
rows  of  cylindrical  cellules,  placed  end  to  end,  finally  become  continuous 
tubes  by  the  loss  of  their  ends. 

13.  The  most  remarkable  form  of  vascular  tissue  is  the  Spiral  Vessel, 
which  has  the  power  of  rolling  with  elasticity  when  stretched. 


ROOT.  12  L 

14.  Other  kinds  of  vascular  tissue  are  incapable  of  unrolling,  but  break 
when  stretched. 

15.  Spiral  vessels  are  not  found  in  the  wood  or  bark,  and  rarely  in  the 
roots  of  plants. 

16.  Vascular  tissue  of  other  kinds  is  confined  to  the  root,  stem,  veins  of 
leaves,  petals,  and  other  parts  composed  of  leaves.     It  is  not  found  in  bark. 

17.  The  common  office  of  the  tissue  is  to  convey  fluid  or  air,  and  to  act 
as  the  receptacle  of  secretions. 

18.  Cellular  tissue  conveys  fluids  in  all  directions,  absorbs  with  great 
rapidity,  is  the  first  cause  of  the  adhesions  that  take  place  between  con- 
tiguous parts,  and  is  the  principal  receptacle  of  secreted  matter. 

19.  Adhesion  will  take  place  at  all  times  during  the  growing  season, 
when  the  cellular  tissues  of  two  different  parts,  or  of  two  different  plants, 
is  kept  for  some  time  in  contact ;  but  as  none  but  tissues  of  nearly  the 
same  nature  will  adhere,  grafting  and  budding,  which  are  caused  by  the 
adhesion  of  contiguous  parts,  can  only  take  place  either  between  different 
varieties  of  the  same  species,  or  between  nearly  related  species ;  and  even 
then  only  when  the  corresponding  parts  of  the  scion  or  bud,  and  the  stock, 
are  placed  in  contact. 

20.  Woody  fibre  conveys  fluid  in  the  direction  of  its  length,  gives  stiff- 
ness and  flexibility  to  the  general  system,  and  acts  as  a  protection  to  spiral 
and  other  delicate  vessels. 

21.  Spiral  vessels  convey  oxygenated  air. 

22.  Other  vessels  probably  conduct  fluid  when  young,  and  air  when  old. 

23.  As  the  bodies  of  which  all  tissue  is  composed  are  perfectly  simple, 
unbranched,  and  regular  in  figure,  having,  when  elongated,  their  two  extremi- 
ties exactly  alike,  they  are  more  or  less  capable  of  conveying  gaseous  mat- 
ter or  fluids  in  any  direction  ;  and,  consequently  a  current  may  be  reversed 
in  them  without  inconvenience  :  hence  inserted  cuttings  or  stems  will.grow. 

24.  All  parts  of  plants  are  composed  of  tissue,  whether  they  be  soft,  as 
pulp  ;  or  hard,  as  the  bony  lining  of  a  peach. 

25.  With  regard  to  Horticultural  operations,  the  parts  of  plants  should 
be  considered  under  the  heads  of  Root  (II.)  ;  Stem  (III.)  5  Leaf  Buds 
(IV.);  Leaves  {Y.)  j  Flowers  (VI.);  Sexes  (VII.);  Fruit  (VIII.);  and 
Seed  (IX). 

II;  Root. 

26.  The  Root  is  the  part  that  strikes  into  the  earth  when  a  seed  begins 
to  germinate,  and  which  afterward  continues  to  lengthen  beneath  the  soil. 

«  27.  It  is  also  the  part  which  is  sometimes  emitted  by  the  stem,  for  the 
purpose  of  absorbing  nutriment  from  the  atmosphere ;  as  in  Ivy,  Air- 
Plants,  Vines,  &c. 

28.  It  is  distinguished  from  the  stem  by  the  absence  of  leaves  in  any 
state,  of  regular  leaf-buds  (IV.);  of  evaporating  pores  or  stomata  (131)  j 
and  of  pith  in  Exogenous  plants. 

29.  Therefore,  such  underground  bodies  as  those  called  Tuber  (61)  in 
the  Potato  ;  Bulb  (96)  in  the  Onion;  and  solid  Bulb  or  Cormus  (61)  in 
the  Crocus,  are  not  roots. 

30.  The  office  of  the  root  is  to  absorb  food  in  a  fluid  or  gaseous  state ; 
and  also  to  fix  the  plant  in  the  soil,  or  to  some  firm  support 


122  ROOT. 

31.  The  latter  office  is  essential  to  the  certain  and  regular  performance 
of  the  former. 

32.  It  is  not  by  the  whole  of  their  surface  that  roots  absorb  food  ;  but 
only  by  their  young  and  newly  formed  extremities,  called  Spongioles. 

33.  Hence  the  preservation  of  the  spongioles  in  an  uninjured  state  is 
essential  to  the  removal  of  a  plant  from  one  place  to  another. 

34.  A  Spongiole  consists  of  very  young  vascular  tissue  (12)  surrounded 
by  very  young  cellular  substance  (5). 

35.  It  is  therefore  one  of  the  most  delicate  parts  of  plants,  and  the  most 
easily  injured. 

36.  Hence  whatever  is  known  to  produce  any  specific  deleterious  action 
upon  leaves  or  stems,  such  as  certain  gases  (29S)  and  mineral  or  vegetable 
poisons,  will  produce  a  much  more  fatal  effect  upon  the  spongioles. 

37.  These  organs  have  no  power  of  selecting  their  food,  but  will  absorb 
whatever  the  earth  or  air  may  contain,  which  is  sufficiently  fluid  to  pass 
through  the  sides  of  their  tissue. 

3S.  So  that  if  the  spongioles  are  developed  in  a  medium  which  is  of  an 
unsuitable  nature,  as  they  will  still  continue  to  absorb,  they  cannot  fail  to 
introduce  matter  which  will  prove  either  injurious  or  fatal  to  life,  accord- 
ing to  its  intensity. 

39.  This  may  often  explain  why  trees  suddenly  become  unhealthy,  with- 
out any  external  apparent  cause. 

40.  Plants  have  the  power  of  replacing  spongioles  by  the  formation  of 
new  ones  ;  so  that  an  individual  is  not  destroyed  by  their  loss. 

41.  But  this  power  depends  upon  the  co-operation  of  the  atmosphere, 
and  upon  the  special  vital  powers  of  the  species. 

42.  If  the  atmosphere  is  so  humid  as  to  hinder  evaporation,  spongioles 
will  have  time  to  form  anew  ;  but  if  the  atmosphere  is  dry,  the  loss  by 
evaporation  will  be  so  much  greater  than  can  be  supplied  by  the  injured 
roots,  that  the  whole  system  will  be  emptied  of  fluid  before  the  new  spon- 
gioles can  form. 

43.  This  is  the  key  to  Transplantation  (XV.) 

44.  As  roots  are  destitute  of  leaf-buds  (IV.),  and  as  leaf-buds  are  essen- 
tial to  the  multiplication  of  an  individual  (108),  it  should  follow  that  roots 
can  never  be  employed  for  the  purpose  of  multiplication. 

45.  Nevertheless,  roots  when  woody  have,  occasionally,  the  power  of 
generating  adventitious  leaf-buds  (IV.) ;  and  when  this  is  the  case,  they 
may  be  employed  for  the  purpose  of  multiplication  }  as  those  of  Cydonia 
Japonica,  &c. 

46.  The  cause  of  this  power  existing  in  some  species,  and  not  in  others, 
is  unknown. 

47.  It  is  therefore  a  power  that  can  never  be  calculated  upon,  and  whose 
existence  is  only  to  be  discovered  by  accident. 

48.  Although  roots  are  generated  under  ground,  and  sometimes  at  con- 
siderable depths,  yet  access  to  a  certain  quantity  of  atmospheric  air  appears 
indispensable  to  the  healthy  execution  of  their  functions.  This  is  con- 
stantly exemplified  in  plants  growing  in  the  earth  at  the  back  of  an  ill- 
ventilated  forcing-house,  where  the  roots  have  no  means  of  finding  their 
way  into  the  earth  on  the  outside  of  the  house. 

49.  It  is  supposed  by  some  that  the  introduction  of  oxygen  into  their 
system  is  as  indispensable  to  them  as  to  animals. 


STEM. 


123 


60.  It  seems  more  probable  that  the  oxygen  of  the  atmosphere,  seizing 
upon  a  certain  quantity  of  carbon,  forms  carbonic  acid,  which  they  absorb, 
and  feed  upon. 

51.  It  is  at  least  certain  that  the  exclusion  of  air  from  the  roots  will 
always  induce  an  unhealthy  condition,  or  even  death  itself.  This  may  bo 
one  of  the  reasons  why  stiff"  tenacious  soils  are  seldom  suited  to  the  pur- 
poses of  the  cultivator,  until  their  adhesiveness  has  been  destroyed  by  the 
addition  of  other  matter. 

52.  Spongioles  secrete  excrementitious  matter,  which  is  unsuitable  to  the 
same  species  afterward  as  food  ;  for  poisonous  substances  are  as  fatal  to  the 
species  that  secrete  them  as  to  any  other  species. 

53.  But  to  the  other  species  the  excrementitious  matter  is  either  not  un 
suitable,  or  not  deleterious. 

54.  Hence,  soil  may  be  rendered  impure  (or,  as  we  inaccurately  say, 
worn  out)  for  one  species,  which  will  not  be  impure  for  others. 

55.  This  is  the  true  key  of  the  theory  of  rotation  of  crops. 

56.  This  also  may  serve  to  explain  in  part  why  light  soil  is  indispensa- 
ble to  many  plants,  and  heavy  or  tenacious  soil  suitable  to  so  few  ;  for  in 
the  former  case  the  spongioles  will  meet  with  little  resistance  to  their  elong- 
ation, and  will  consequently  be  continually  leaving  the  place  where  thcii 
excrementitious  matter  is  deposited  ;  while  in  the  latter  case,  the  reverse 
will  occur. 

III.  Stem. 


57.  The  Stem  is  that  part  of  a  plant  which  is  developed  above  ground, 
and  which  took  an  upward  direction  at  the  period  of  germination. 

58.  It  consists  of  a  woody  axis,  covered  by  bark  having  stomata  (131) 
on  its  surface,  bearing  leaves  with  leaf-buds,  in  their  axillae,  and  producing 
flowers  and  fruit. 

59.  The  points  where  leaves  are  borne  are  called  Nodi;  the  spaces  be- 
tween the  leaves,  are  Internodia. 

60.  The  more  erect  a  stem  grows,  the  more  vigorous  it  is ;  and  the  more 
it  deviates  from  this  direction  to  a  horizontal  or  pendulous  position,  the 
less  is  it  vigorous. 

61.  Some  stems  are  developed  under  ground,  such  as  the  Tubers  of  the 
Potato  and  the  Cormus  of  the  Crocus  ;  but  they  are  known  from  roots  by 
the  presence  of  leaves,  and  regular  leaf-buds,  upon  their  surface. 

6.2.  Stems  increase  in  diameter  in  two  ways. 

63.  Either  by  the  addition  of  new  matter  to  the  outside  of  the  wood 
and  the  inside  of  the  bark  ;  when  they  are  Exogenous  /  ex.  Oak. 

64.  Or  by  the  addition  of  new  matter  to  their  inside ;  when  they  are 
Endogenous ;  ex.  Cane. 

65.  In  Exogenous  stems,  the  central  portion,  which  is  harder  and  darker 
than  that  at  the  circumference,  is  called  Heart  Wood;  while  the  exterior, 
which  is  softer  and  lighter,  is  called  Alburnum,  or  Sap  Wood. 

66.  The  inside  of  the  bark  of  such  stems  has  also  the  technical  name  of 
Liber. 

67.  The  heart  wood  was,  when  young,  Alburnum,  and  afterward 
changed  its  nature  by  becoming  the  receptacle  of  certain  secretions  peculiar 
to  the  species. 


124  LEAF-BUDS. 

68.  Hence  the  greater  durability  of  heart  wood  than  of  sap  wood. 
While  the  latter  is  newly  formed  empty  tissue,  almost  as  perishable  as  bark 
itself,  the  former  is  protected  against  destruction  by  the  introduction  of 
secretions  that  become  solid  matter,  which  is  often  insoluble  in  water,  and 
never  permeable  to  air. 

69.  The  secretions  by  which  heart  wood  is  solidified  are  prepared  in  the 
leaves,  whence  they  are  sent  downward  through  the  bark,  and  from  the 
bark  communicated  to  the  central  part  of  the  stem. 

70.  The  channels  through  which  this  communication  takes  place  are 
called  Medullary  Rays,  or  Silver  Grain. 

71.  Medullary  rays  are  plates  of  cellular  tissue,  in  a  very  compressed 
state,  passing  trom  the  pith  into  the  bark. 

72.  The  wood  itself  is  composed  of  tubes  consisting  of  woody  fibre  and 
vascular  tissue,  imbedded  longitudinally  in  cellular  substance. 

73.  This  cellular  substance  only  developes  horizontally ;  and  it  is  to  it 
that  the  peculiar  character  of  different  kinds  of  wood  is  chiefly  due. 

74.  For  this  reason  the  wood  of  the  stock  of  a  grafted  plant  will  never 
become  like  that  of  its  scion,  although,  as  will  be  hereafter  seen  (IV.),  t; 
woody  matter  of  the  stock  must  all  originate  in  the  scion. 

75.  The  stem  of  an  exogenous  plant  may  therefore  be  compared  to  a 
piece  of  linen,  of  which  the  weft  is  composed  of  cellular  tissue,  and  the 
warp  of  fibrous  and  vascular  tissue. 

76.  In  the  spring  and  autumn  a  viscid  substance  is  secreted  between  the 
wood  and  the  liber,  called  the  Cambium. 

77.  This  cambium  appears  to  be  the  matter  out  of  which  the  cellular 
horizontal  substance  of  the  stem  is  organized. 

78.  In  Endogenous  stems  the  portion  at  the  circumference  is  harder  than 
that  in  the  centre  ;  and  there  is  no  separable  bark. 

79.  Their  stems  consist  of  bundles  of  woody  matter,  imbedded  in  cel- 
lular tissue,  and  composed  of  vascular  tissue  surrounded  by  woody  fibre. 

80.  The  stem  is  not  only  the  depository  of  the  peculiar  secretions  of 
species,  (67),  but  is  also  the  medium  through  which  the  sap  flows  in  its 
passage  from  the  roots  into  the  leaves. 

81.  In  exogenous  stems  (63)  it  certainly  rises  through  the  alburnum, 
and  descends  through  the  bark. 

82.  In  endogenous  stems  (64)  it  probably  rises  through  the  bundles  of 
wood,  and  descends  through  the  cellular  substance  ;  but  this  is  uncertain. 

83.  Stems'  have  the  power  of  propagating  an  individual  only  by  means 
of  their  Leaf-buds.  If  destitute  of  leaf-buds,  they  have  no  power  of 
multiplication,  except  fortuitously. 

IV.  Leaf-buds. 

84.  Leaf-buds  are  rudiments  of  branches,  enclosed  within  scales,  which 
are  imperfectly  formed  leaves. 

85.  All  the  leaf-buds  upon  the  same  branch  are  constitutionally  and  ana- 
tomically the  same. 

86.  They  are  of  two  kinds  ;  namely,  regular  or  normal,  and  adventi- 
tious or  latent  (119). 

87.  Regular  leaf-buds  are  formed  at  the  axillsB  of  leaves 


LEAF-BUDS.  125 

88.  They  are  organs  capable  of  propagating  the  individual  from  which 
they  originate. 

89.  They  arc  at  first  nourished  by  the  fluid  lying  in  the  pith,  but  finally 
establish  for  themselves  a  communication  with  the  soil  by  the  woody  mat- 
ter which  they  send  downward. 

90.  Their  force  of  developement  will  be  in  proportion  to  their  nourish- 
ment ;  and,  consequently,  when  it  is  wished  to  procure  a  young  shoot  of 
unusual  vigour,  all  other  shoots  in  the  vicinity  are  prevented  growing,  so 
as  to  accumulate  for  one  shoot  only  all  the  food  that  would  otherwise  have 
been  consumed  by  several. 

91.  Cutting  back  to  a  few  eyes  is  an  operation  in  pruning  to  produce  the 
same  effect,  by  directing  the  sap,  as  it  ascends,  into  two  or  three  buds  only, 
instead  of  allowing  it  to  expend  itself  upon  all  the  others  which  are  cut 
away. 

92.  When  leaf-buds  grow,  they  develope  in  three  directions ;  the  one 
horizontal,  the  other  upward,  and  the  third  downward. 

93.  The  horizontal  developement  is  confined  to  the  cellular  system  of  the 
bark,  pith,  and  medullary  rays. 

94.  The  upward  and  downward  developements  are  confined  to  the  woody 
fibre  and  vascular  tissue. 

95.  In  this  respect  they  resemble  seed  ;  from  which  they  differ  physio- 
logically in  propagating  the  individual,  while  seed  can  only  propagate  the 
species. 

96.  When  they  disarticulate  from  the  stem  that  bears  them,  they  are 
called  Buds. 

97.  In  some  plants,  a  bud,  when  separated  from  its  stem,  will  grow  and 
form  a  new  plant  if  placed  in  circumstances  favourable  to  the  preservation 
of  its  vital  powers. 

98.  But  this  property  seems  confined  to  plants  having  a  firm,  woody, 
perennial  stem. 

99.  Such  buds,  when  detached  from  their  parent  stem,  send  roots  down- 
ward and  a  stem  upward. 

100.  But  if  the  buds  are  not  separated  from  the  plant  to  which  they 
belong,  the  matter  they  send  downward  becomes  wood  and  liber  {66),  and 
the  stems  they  send  upward  become  branches.  Hence  it  is  said  that  wood 
and  liber  are  formed  by  the  roots  of  leaf-buds. 

101.  If  no  leaf-buds  are  called  into  action,  there  will  be  no  addition  of 
wood  ;  and,  consequently,  the  destruction  or  absence  of  leaf-buds  is  accom- 
panied by  the  absence  of  wood ;  as  is  proved  by  a  shoot,  the  upper  buds 
of  which  are  destroyed  and  the  lower  allowed  to  develope.  The  lower 
part  of  the  shoot  will  increase  in  diameter ;  the  upper  will  remain  of  its 
original  dimensions. 

102.  The  quantity  of  wood,  therefore,  depends  upon  the  quantity  of 
leaf-buds  that  develope. 

103.  It  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  bear  this  in  mind  in  pruning 
timber  trees  :  for  excessive  pruning  must  necessarily  be  injurious  to  the 
quantity  of  produce. 

104.  If  a  cutting  with  a  leaf-bud  on  it  be  placed  in  circumstances  fitted 
to  the  developement  of  the  latter,  it  will  grow  and  become  a  new  plant. 

105.  If  this  happens  when  the  cutting  is  inserted  in  the  earth,  the  new 
jlant  is  said  by  gardeners  to  be  upon  Us  own  bottom. 

11* 


126  LEAF-BUDS. 


106.  But  if  it  happens  when  the  cutting  is  applied  to  the  dissevered  end 
of  another  individual,  called  a  stock,  the  roots  are  insinuated  into  the  tissue 
of  the  stock,  and  a  plant  is  said  to  be  grafted,  the  cutting  being  called  a 
scion. 

107.  There  is,  therefore,  little  difference  between  cuttings  and  scions, 
except  that  the  former  root  into  the  earth,  the  latter  into  another  plant. 

108.  But  if  a  cutting  of  the  same  plant  without  a  leaf-bud  upon  it  be 
placed  in  the  same  circumstances,  it  will  not  grow,  but  will  die. 

109.  Unless  its  vital  powers  are  sufficient  to  enable  it  to  develope  an 
adventitious  leaf-bud  (119). 

110.  A  leaf- bud  separated  from  the  stem  will  also  become  a  new  indi- 
vidual, if  its  vital  energy  is  sufficiently  powerful. 

111.  And  this,  whether  it  is  planted  in  earth,  into  which  it  roots  like  a 
cutting,  or  in  a  new  individual,  to  which  it  adheres  and  grows  like  a  scion. 
In  the  former  case  it  is  called  an  eye,  in  the  latter  a  bud. 

112.  Every  leaf-bud  has,  therefore,  its  own  distinct  system  of  life  and 
of  growth. 

113.  And  as  all  the  leaf-buds  of  an  individual  are  exactly  alike,  it  follows 
that  a  plant  is  a  collection  of  a  great  number  of  distinct  identical  systems 
of  life,  and,  consequently,  a  compound  individual. 

114.  Regular  leaf-buds  being  generated  in  the  axillae  of  the  leaves,  it  Is 
there  that  they  are  always  to  be  sought. 

115.  And  if  they  cannot  be  discovered  by  ocular  inspection,  it  may 
nevertheless  be  always  inferred  with  confidence  that  they  exist  in  such 
situations,  and  may  possibly  be  called  from  their  dormant  state  into  life. 

116.  Hence,  wherever  the  scar  of  a  leaf,  or  the  remains  of  a  leaf,  can 
be  discovered,  there  it  is  to  be  understood  that  the  rudiments  exist  of  a 
system  of  life  which  may  be,  by  favourable  circumstances,  called  into 
action. 

117.  Hence,  all  parts  upon  which  leaves  have  ever  grown  may  be  made 
use  of  for  purposes  of  propagation. 

118.  From  these  considerations  it  appears  that  the  most  direct  analogy 
between  the  Animal  and  Vegetable  kingdoms  is  with  the  Polypi  of  the 
former. 

119.  Adventitious  leaf-buds  are  in  all  respects  like  regular  leaf-buds, 
except  that  they  are  not  formed  at  the  axilla?  of  leaves,  but  develope 
occasionally  from  all  and  any  part  of  a  plant. 

120.  They  are  occasionally  produced  by  roots,  by  solid  wood,  or  even  by 
leaves  and  flowers. 

121.  Hence  roots,  solid  wood,  or  even  leaves  and  flowers,  may  be  used 
as  means  of  propagation. 

122.  But  as  the  developement  of  adventitious  buds  is  extremely  uncer- 
tain, such  means  of  propagation  can  never  be  calculated  on,  and  form  no 
part  of  the  science  of  cultivation. 

123.  The  cause  of  the  formation  of  adventitious  leaf-buds  is  unknown. 

124.  From  certain  experiments  it  appears  that  they  may  be  generated  by 
sap  in  a  state  of  great  accumulation  and  activity. 

125.  Consequently,  whatever  tends  to  the  accumulation  of  sap  in  an 
active  state  may  be  expected  to  be  conducive  to  the  formation  of  adventi 
tious  leaf-buds. 


LEAVES.  127 

V.  Leaves. 

126.  Leaves  are  expansions  of  bark,  traversed  by  veins. 

127.  The  veins  consist  of  spiral  vessels  enclosed  in  woody  fibre  ;  they 
originate  in  the  medullary  sheath  and  liber  ;  and  they  are  connected  by 
2oose  Parenchyma  (7),  which*  is  full  of  cavities  containing  air. 

128.  This  parenchyma  consists  of  two  layers,  of  which  the  upper  is  com- 
posed of  cellules  perpendicular  to  the  cuticle,  and  the  lower  of  cellules 
parallel  with  the  cuticle. 

129.  These  cellules  are  arranged  so  as  to  leave  numerous  open  passages 
among  them  for  the  circulation  of  air  in  the  inside  of  a  leaf.  Parenchyma 
of  this  nature  is  called  cavernous. 

130.  Cuticle  is  formed  of  one  or  more  layers  of  depressed  cellular  tissue, 
which  is  generally  hardened,  and  always  dry  and  filled  with  air. 

131.  Botween  many  of  the  cells  of  the  cuticle  are  placed  apertures 
called  stomata,  which  have  the  power  of  opening  and  closing  as  circum- 
stances may  require. 

132.  It  is  by  means  of  this  apparatus  that  leaves  elaborate  the  sap  which, 
they  absorb  from  the  alburnum,  converting  it  into  the  secretions  peculiar  to 
the  species. 

133-  Their  cavernous  structure  (129)  enables  them  to  expose  the  great- 
est possible  surface  of  their  parenchyma  to.  the  action  of  the  atmosphere. 

134.  Their  cuticle  is  a  non-conducting  skin,  which  protects  them  from 
great  variations  in  temperature,  and  through  which  gaseous  matter  will 
pass  readily. 

1 35.  Their  stomata  are  pores  that  are  chiefly  intended  to  facilitate  evap- 
oration ;  for  which  they  are  well  adapted  by  a  power  they  possess  of  open- 
ing orjdosing  as  circumstances  may  require. 

136.  They  are  also  intended  for  facilitating  the  rapid  emission  of  air, 
when  it  is  necessary  that  such  a  function  should  be  performed- 

137.  The  functions  of  stomata  being  of  such  vital  importance,  it  is 
always  advisable  to  examine  them  microscopically  in  cases  where  doubts 
are  entertained  of  the  state  of  the  atmosphere  which  a  particular  species 
may  require. 

138.  Leaves  growing  in  air  are  covered  with  a  cuticle. 

139.  Leaves  growing  under  water  have  no  cuticle. 

140.  All  the  secretions  of  plants  being  formed  in  the  leaves,  or  at  least 
the  greater  part,  it  follows  that  secretions  cannot  take  place  if  leaves  are 
destroyed. 

141.  And  as  this  secreting  property  depends  upon  specific  vital  powers 
connected  with  the  decomposition  of  carbonic  acid,  and  called  into  action 
only  when  the  leaves  are  freely  exposed  to  light  and  air  (279),  it  also  fol- 
lows that  the  quantity  of  secretion  will  be  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
quantity  of  leaves,  and  to  their  free  exposure  to  light  and  air. 

142.  The  usual  position  of  leaves  is  spiral,  at  regularly  increasing  or 
diminishing  distances  ;  they  are  then  said  to  be  alternate. 

143-  But  if  the  space,  or  the  axis,  that  separates  two  leaves,  is  reduced 
to  nothing  at  alternate  intervals,  they  become  opposite. 

144.  And  if  the  spaces  that  separate  several  leaves  be  reduced  to  nothing, 
they  become  verticillate. 


128  FLOWERS. 

145.  Opposite  and  verticillate  leaves,  therefore,  differ  from  alternate  leaves 
only  in  the  spaces  that  separate  them  being  reduced  to  nothing. 

VI.  Flowers. 

146.  Flowers  consist  of  two  principal  parts,  namely,  Floral  Envelopes 
(149),  and  Sexes  (VII.) 

147.  Of  these,  the  former  constitute  what  is  popularly  considered  the 
flower ;  although  the  latter  are  the  only  parts  that  are  absolutely  essential 
to  it. 

148.  However  different  they  maybe  in  appearance  from  leaves,  they  are 
all  formed  of  those  organs  in  a  more  or  less  modified  state,  and  altered  in 
greater  or  less  degree  by  mutual  adhesion. 

149.  The  floral  envelopes  consist  of  two  or  more  whorls  of  transformed 
leaves ;  of  which  part  is  calyx,  its  leaves  being  called  sepals,  and  part 
corolla,  its  leaves  being  called  petals. 

150.  The  sexes  are  also  transformed  leaves  (187). 

151.  The  calyx  is  always  the  outermost,  the  corolla  is  always  the  inner- 
most whorls  ;  and  if  there  is  but  one  floral  envelope,  that  one  is  calyx. 

152.  Usually  the  calyx  is  green,  and  the  corolla  coloured  and  more 
highly  developed  :  but  the  reverse  is  frequently  the  case,  as  in  Fuchsia, 
Ribes  sanguineum,  &c. 

153.  A  flower  being,  then,  an  axis  surrounded  by  leaves,  it  is  in  reality 
a  stunted  branch  ;  that  is,  one  the  growth  of  which  is  checked,  and  its 
power  of  elongation  destroyed. 

154.  That  flowers  are  stunted  branches  is  proved,  first,  by  all  their  parts, 
especially  the  most  external,  occasionally  reverting  to  the  state  of  ordinary 
leaves  ;  secondly,  by  their  parts  being  often  transformed  into  each  other ; 
and,  thirdly,  by  the  whorls  of  flower-buds  being  dislocated  and  actually 
converted  into  branches  whenever  any  thing  occurs  to  stimulate  them 
excessively. 

155.  Their  most  essential  distinctive  character  consists  in  the  buds  at 
the  axillae  of  their  leaves  being  usually  dormant,  while  those  in  the  exilhe 
of  ordinary  leaves  are  usually  active. 

156.  For  this  reason,  while  leaf-buds  can  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
pagation, flower-buds  cannot  usually  be  so  employed. 

157.  Being  stunted  branches,  their  position  on  the  stem  is  the  same  as 
that  of  developed  branches. 

158.  And  as  there  is  in  all  plants  a  very  great  difference  in  the  develope- 
ment  of  leaf-buds,  some  growing  readily  into  branches,  others  only  unfold- 
ing their  leaves  without  elongating,  and  many  remaining  altogether  dor- 
mant, it  follows  that  flower-buds  may  form  upon  plants  of  whatever  age 
and  in  whatever  state. 

159.  But  to  produce  a  general  formation  of  flower-buds  it  is  necessary 
that  there  should  be  some  general  predisposing  constitutional  cause,  inde- 
pendent of  accidental  circumstances. 

160.  This  predisposing  cause  is  the  accumulation  of  sap  and  of  secreted 
matter. 

161.  Therefore,  whatever  tends  to  retard  the  free  flow  of  sap,  and  causes 
it  to  accumulate,  will  cause  the  production  of  flower-buds  or  fertility. 


FLOWERS.  129 

162.  And,  on  the  other  hand,  whatever  tends  to  produce  excessive 
vigour,  causes  the  dispersion  of  sap,  or  prevents  its  elaboration,  and  causes 
sterility. 

163.  Transplantation  with  a  partial  destruction  of  roots,  age,  or  high 
temperature  accompanied  by  a  dry  atmosphere,  training  obliquely  or  in 
an  inverted  direction,  a  constant  destruction  of  the  extremities  of  young 
growing  branches,  will  all  cause  an  accumulation  of  sap,  and  secretions ; 
and,  consequently,  all  such  circumstances  are  favourable  to  the  production 
of  flower-buds. 

164.  But  a  richly  manured  soil,  high  temperature,  with  great  atmospheric 
humidity,  or  an  uninterrupted  flow  of  sap,  are  all  causes  of  excessive  vig- 
our, and  are  consequently  unfavourable  to  the  production  of  flower-buds. 

165.  There  is  a  tendency  in  many  flowers  to  enlarge,  to  alter  their 
colours,  or  to  change  their  appearance  by  transformation  and  multiplication 
of  their  parts,  whenever  they  have  been  raised  from  seed  for  several  gene- 
rations, or  domesticated. 

166.  The  causes  of  this  tendency  are  probably  various,  but  being  entirely 
unknown,  no  certain  rules  for  the  production  of  varieties  in  flowers  can  be 
laid  down,  except  by  the  aid  of  hybridizing  (201). 

167.  It  often  happens  that  a  single  branch  produces  flowers  different 
from  those  produced  on  other  branches.     This  is  technically  called  a  sport. 

16S.  As  every  bud  on  that  branch  has  the  same  specific  vital  principle 
(113),  a  bud  taken  from  such  a  branch  will  produce  an  individual,  the 
whole  of  whose  branches  will  retain  the  character  of  the  sport. 

169.  Consequently,  by  buds  an  accidental  variety  may  be  made  perma- 
nent, if  the  plant  that  sports  be  of  a  firm  woody  nature  (98). 

170.  As  flowers  feed  upon  the  prepared  sap  in  their  vicinity,  the  greater 
the  abundance  of  this  prepared  food,  the  more  perfect  will  be  their  devel- 
opement. 

171.  Or  the  fewer  the  flowers  on  a  given  branch,  the  more  food  they  will 
severally  have  to  nourish  them,  and  the  more  perfect  will  they  be. 

172.  The  beauty  of  flowers  will  therefore  be  increased  either  by  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  food,  or  by  a  diminution  of  their  numbers  (thinning),  or  by 
both.     The  business  of  the  pruner  is  to  cause  these  by  his  operation. 

173.  The  beauty  of  flowers  depends  upon  their  free  exposure  to  light 
and  air,  because  it  consists  in  the  richness  of  their  colours,  and  their  colours 
are  only  formed  by  the  action  of  these  two  agents  (281). 

174.  Hence  flowers  produced  in  dark  or  shaded  confined  situations  are 
either  imperfect,  or  destitute  of  their  habitual  size  and  beauty. 

175.  Double  flowers  are  those  in  which  the  stamens  are  transformed 
into  petals ;  or  in  which  the  latter,  or  the  sepals,  are  multiplied.  They 
should  not  be  confounded  with  Proliferous  (183),  and  Discoid  Compound 
Flowers  (1S4). 

176.  Although  no  certain  rules  for  the  production  of  double  flowers  can 
be  laid  down,  yet  it  is  probable  that  those  flowers  have  the  greatest  tendency 
to  become  double,  in  which  the  sexes  are  habitually  multiplied. 

177.  In  Icosandrous  and  Polyandrous  plants  either  the  stamens  or  the 
pistilla  are  always  very  numerous  when  the  flowers  are  in  a  natural  state ; 
and  it  is  chiefly  in  such  plants  that  double  flowers  occur,  when  they  become 
transformed 


130  SEXES. 

178.  It  is,  therefore,  in  such  plants  that  double  flowers  are  to  be  princi. 
pally  expected. 

179.  In  proportion  as  the  sexes  of  flowers  habitually  become  few  in 
number,  do  the  instances  of  double  flowers  become  rare. 

180.  Double  flowers  are  therefore  least  to  be  expected  in  plants  with 
fewest  stamens. 

181.  Whenever  the  component  parts  of  a  flower  adhere  by  their  edges, 
as  in  monophyllous  calyxes,  monopetalous  corollas,  and  monadelphous,  or 
di-,  or  poly-adelphous  stamens,  the  tendency  to  an  unnatural  multiplication 
of  parts  seems  checked. 

182.  Therefore,  in  such  cases,  double  flowers  are  little  to  be  expected  • 
they  are,  in  fact,  very  rare. 

183.  Proliferous  flowers  are  those  in  which  parts  that  usually  have  all 
their  axillary  buds  dormant,  accidentally  develope  such  buds  ;  as  in  the  Hen 
and  Chickens  Daisy,  in  which  the  bractea?  of  the  involucrum  form  other 
Daisy-heads  in  their  axilla? ;  or,  as  in  certain  Roses,  in  which  the  capillary 
leaves  develope  leaf-buds  in  their  axillae,  so  that  the  flower  becomes  a 
branch,  the  lower  leaves  of  which  are  coloured  and  transformed,  and  the 
upper  green,  and  in  their  ordinary  state. 

184.  Discoid  compound  flowers  are  those  in  which  the  central  florets  of 
a  flower-head  acquire  corollas,  like  those  of  the  circumference,  as  in  the 
Dahlia ;  the  cultivated  variety  of  which  should  be  called  discoid,  and  not 
double. 

185.  These  last  two  are  so  essentially  different  from  double  flowers,  that 
whatever  laws  may  be  supposed  to  govern  the  production  or  amelioration 
of  double  flowers,  can  have  no  relation  to  proliferous  or  discoid  compound 
flowers. 

VII.  Sexes. 

186.  The  sexes  consist  of  two  or  more  whorls  of  transformed  leaves,  of 
which  the  outer  are  called  Stamens  (1S8),  and  the  inner  Pistillum  (191), 

187.  They  are  known  to  be  modifications  of  leaves,  because  they  very 
frequently  are  transformed  into  petals  which  are  demonstrably  such  (149) 
and  because  they  occasionally  revert  to  the  state  of  leaves. 

188.  The  stamens  bear  at  their  apex  an  organ,  called  the  anther,  which 
contains  a  powder  called  pollen. 

189.  When  the  anther  is  full  grown  it  opens  and  emits  the  pollen,  either 
dispersing  it  in  the  air  in  consequence  of  the  elasticity  with  which  it  opens; 
or  depositing  it  upon  the  stigmata  (191)  ;  or  exposing  it  to  the  action  of 
wind,  or  such  other  disturbing  causes  as  may  liberate  it  from  its  case. 

190.  The  pollen  consists  of  exceedingly  minute  hollow  balls,  or  cases, 
containing  myriads  of  moving  particles,  which  are  the  fertilizing  principle 
of  the  stamens. 

191.  The  pistillum  has  at  its  base  one  or  more  cavities  or  cells,  in  which 
bodies  called  ovula  are  placed  ;  and  at  its  apex  one  or  more  secreting  sur- 
faces called  stigmata. 

192.  The  ovula  are  the  rudiments  of  seed. 

103.  If  the  fertilizing  powder  of  the  pollen  comes  in  contact  with  the 
stigmata,  the  ovula  in  the  cells  of  the  pistillum  are  vivified,  and  become  seed. 


FRUIT.  131 

194.  But  if  this  contact  does  not  take  place,  the  ovula  cannot  possibly 
be  vivified,  but  shrivel  up  and  perish. 

195.  The  phenomenon  of  vivification  takes  place  in  consequence  of  the 
descent  of  a  portion  of  the  moving  particles  (190)  of  the  pollen  into  the 
ovula,  where  such  particles  form  the  commencement  of  future  plants. 

196.  In  wild  plants  stigmata  is  usually  acted  upon  only  by  the  pollen 
of  the  stamens  which  belong  to  it. 

197.  In  this  case  the  seed  thus  vivified  will,  when  sown,  produce  new 
individuals,  differing  very  little  from  that  by  which  they  were  them- 
selves produced. 

198.  And,  therefore,  wild  plants  are  for  the  most  part  multiplied  from 
generation  to  generation  without  change. 

199.  But  it  is  possible  to  cause  deviations  from  this  law,  by  artificial 
means. 

200.  If  the  pollen  of  one  species  be  placed  upon  the  stigmata  of  another 
species,  the  ovula  will  be  vivified  ;  and  what  is  called  a  hybrid  plant  will  be 
produced,  by  those  ovula  when  they  shall  have  grown  to  be  seed. 

201.  Hybrid  plants  are  different  from  both  their  parents,  and  are  gene- 
rally intermediate  in  character  between  them. 

202.  They  have  little  power  of  perpetuating  themselves  by  seed  ;  but 
they  may,  if  woody,  be  perpetuated  by  cuttings  (312),  buds  (354),  scions 
(335),  &c 

203.  Therefore,  no  hybrids  but  such  as  are  of  a  woody  perennial  char- 
acter can  be  perpetuated. 

204.  It  usually  happens  that  the  hybrid  has  the  constitutipn  and  general 
aspect  of  the  polliniferous  parent  ;  but  is  influenced  in  secondary  charac- 
ters by  the  peculiarity  of  the  female  parent. 

205.  This  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  in  procuring  new  hybrid  plants. 

206.  Really  hybrid  plants  must  not  be  confounded  with  such  as  are  spu- 
rious, in  consequence  of  their  origin  being  between  two  varieties  of  the 
same  species,  and  not  two  species  of  the  same  genus. 

207.  Hybrid  plants,  although  incapable  of  perpetuation  by  seed,  are  often 
more  abundant  flowerers  than  either  parent. 

208.  This  is,  probably,  connected  with  constitutional  debility  (162). 

VIII.  Fruit. 

209.  Fruit,  strictly  speaking,  is  the  pistillum  arrived  at  maturity. 

210.  When  the  calyx  adheres  to  the  pistillum,  and  grows  with  it  to 
maturity,  the  fruit  is  called  inferior  ;  as  the  Apple. 

211.  But  when  the  pistillum  alone  ripens,  there  being  no  adhesion  to  it 
on  the  part  of  the  calyx,  the  fruit  is  called  superior  ,•  as  the  Peach. 

212.  The  fruit  is,  therefore,  in  common  language,  the  flower,  or  somo 
part  of  it,  arrived  at  its  most  complete  state  of  existence  ;  and  conse- 
quently, is  itself  a  portion  of  a  stunted  branch  (153). 

213.  The  nature  of  its  connection  with  the  stem  is  therefore  the  same 
as  that  of  the  branches  with  each  other,  or  of  leaves  with  their  stem. 

214.  A  superior  fruit  consisting  only  of  one,  or  of  a  small  number  of 
metamorphosed  leaves,  it  has  little  or  no  power  of  forming  a  communiav 
tior.  with  the  earth  and  of  feeding  itself,  as  real  branches  have  (89). 


132  FRUIT. 

215.  It  has  also  very  little  adhesion  to  its  branch  ;  «o  that  but  slight 
causes  are  sufficient  to  detach  it  from  the  plant,  especially  at  an  early  age, 
when  all  its  parts  are  tender. 

216.  Hence  the  difficulty  of  causing  Peaches  and  the  like  to  stone,  or  to 
pass  over  that  age,  in  which  the  vascular  bundles  that  join  them  to  the 
branch  become  woody,  and  secure  them  to  their  place. 

217.  For  the  same  reason  they  are  fed  almost  entirely  by  other  parts, 
upon  secreted  matter  which  they  attract  to  themselves,  elaborate,  and  store 
up  in  the  cavities  of  their  tissue. 

218.  The  office  of  feeding  such  fruit  is  performed  by  young  branches 
which  transmit  nutriment  to  it  through  the  bark  (69). 

219.  But  as  young  branches  can  only  transmit  nutriment  downward,  it 
follows  that,  unless  a  fruit  is  formed  on  a  part  of  a  branch  below  a  leaf- 
bud,  it  must  perish, 

220.  Unless  there  is  some  active  vegetation  in  the  stem  above  the  branch 
on  which  it  grows  ;  when  it  may  possibly  live  and  feed  upon  secretions 
attracted  by  it  from  the  main  stem. 

221.  But  inferior  fruit,  consisting  at  least  of  the  calyx  in  addition  to 
the  pistillum,  has  a  much  more  powerful  communication  with  the  branch ; 
each  division  of  its  calyx  having  at  least  one  bundle  of  vascular  and 
fibrous  tissue,  passing  from  it  into  the  branch,  and  acting  as  a  stay  upon 
the  centre  to  prevent  its  breaking  off. 

222.  Such  fruit  may  be  supposed  much  more  capable  of  establishing  a 
means  of  attracting  secretions  from  a  distance  ;  and,  consequently,  is  less 
liable  to  perish  from  want  of  a  supply  of  food. 

223.  It  is  therefore  not  so  important  that  an  inferior  fruit  should  be  fur- 
nished with  growing  branches  above  it. 

224.  Fruit  is  exclusively  fed  by  the  secretions  prepared  for  it  by  other 
parts  ;  it  is  therefore  aifected  by  nearly  the  same  circumstances  as  flowers. 

225.  It  will  be  large  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  of  food  the  stem  can 
supply  to  it ;  and  small  in  proportion  to  the  inability  of  the  stem  to  nourish  it. 

226.  For  this  reason,  when  trees  are  weak  they  should  be  allowed  to 
bear  very  little,  if  any,  fruit ;  because  a  crop  of  fruit  can  only  tend  to  in- 
crease their  debility. 

227.  And  in  all  cases  each  fruit  should  be  so  far  separated  from  all  others 
as  not  to  be  robbed  of  its  food  by  those  in  its  vicinity. 

228.  We  find  that  nature  has  herself  in  some  measure  provided  against 
injury  to  plants  by  excessive  fecundity,  in  giving  them  a  power  of  throw- 
ing off  flowers,  the  fruit  of  which  cannot  be  supported. 

229.  The  flavour  of  fruit  depends  upon  the  existence  of  certain  secre- 
tions, especially  of  acid  and  sugar ;  flavour  will,  consequently,  be  regulated 
by  the  circumstances  under  which  fruit  is  ripened. 

230.  The  ripening  of  fruit  is  the  conversion  of  acid  and  other  substances 
into  sugar. 

231.  As  the  latter  substance  cannot  be  obtained  at  all  in  the  dark,  is  less 
abundant  in  fruit  ripened  in  diffused  light,  and  most  abundant  in  fruit  ex- 
posed to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  the  conversion  of  matter  into  sugar 
occurs  under  the  same  circumstances  as  the  decomposition  of  carbonic  acid 
(141  and  279). 

232.  Therefore,  if  fruit  be  produced  in  situations  much  exposed  to  tbo 
sun,  its  sweetness  will  be  augmented. 


SEED.  133 

233.  And  in  proportion  as  it  is  deprived  of  the  sun's  direct  rays,  that 
quality  will  diminish. 

234.  So  that  a  fruit  which,  when  exposed  to  the  sun,  is  sweet,  when 
grown  where  no  direct  light  will  reach  it  will  be  acid  ;  as  Pears,  Cherries,  &c. 

235.  Hence  acidity  may  be  corrected  by  exposure  to  light  ;  and  excess- 
ive sweetness,  or  insipidity,  by  removal  from  light. 

236.  It  is  the  property  of  succulent  fruits  which  are  acid  when  wild,  to 
acquire  sweetness  when  cultivated,  losing  part  of  their  acid. 

237.  This  probably  arises  from  the  augmentation  of  the  cellular  tissue, 
which  possibly  has  a  greater  power  than  woody  or  vascular  tissue  of  assist- 
ing in  the  formation  of  sugar. 

23S.  As  a  certain  quantity  of  acid  is  essential  to  render  fruit  agreeable 
to  the  palate,  and  as  it  is  the  property  of  cultivated  fruits  to  add  to  their 
saccharine  matter,  but  not  to  form  more  acid  than  when  wild  ;  it  follows, 
that  in  selecting  wild  fruits  for  domestication,  those  which  are  acid  should 
be  preferred,  and  those  which  are  sweet  or  insipid  rejected ; 

239.  Unless  recourse  is  had  to  hybridism ;  when  a  wild  insipid  fruit 
may  possibly  be  improved  (.204),  or  may  be  the  means  of  improving 
something  else. 

240.  It  is  very  much  upon  such  considerations  as  the  foregoing  that  the 
rules  of  training  must  depend. 

IX.  Seed. 

241.  The  seed  is  the  ovulum  arrived  at  perfection. 

242.  It  consists  of  an  integument  enclosing  an  embryo,  which  is  the 
rudiment  of  a  future  plant. 

243.  The  seed  is  nourished  by  the  same  means  as  the  fruit ;  and,  like 
it,  will  be  more  or  less  perfectly  formed,  according  to  the  abundance  of  its 
nutriment. 

244.  The  plant  developed  from  the  embryo  in  the  seed,  will  be  in  all 
essential  particulars  like  its  parent  specie*, 

245.  Unless  its  nature  has  been  changed  by  hybridizing  (204). 

246.  But  although  it  will  certainly,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  repro- 
duce its  species,  it  will  by  no  means  uniformly  reproduce  the  particular 
variety  by  which  it  was  borne. 

247.  So  that  seed  are  not  the  proper  means  of  propagating  varieties. 

248.  Nevertheless,  in  annual  or  biennial  plants,  no  means  can  be  em- 
ployed for  propagating  a  variety,  except  the  seed  ;  and  yet  the  variety  is 
preserved. 

249.  This  is  accomplished  solely  by  the  great  care  of  the  cultivator,  and 
happens  thus : 

250.  Although  a  seed  will  not  absolutely  propagate  the  individual,  yet 
as  a  seed  will  partake  more  of  the  nature  of  its  actual  parent  than  of  any 
thing  else,  its  progeny  may  be  expected,  as  really  happens,  to  resemble  the 
variety  from  which  it  sprung,  more  than  any  other  variety  of  its  species ; 

251.  Provided  its  purity  has  not  been  contaminated  by  the  intermix- 
ture of  other  varieties. 

252.  By  a  careful  eradication  of  all  the  varieties  from  the  neighbourhood 
of  that  from  which  seed  is  to  be  saved  ;  by  taking  care  that  none  but  the 
most  genuine  forms  of  a  variety  are  preserved  as  seed-plants ;  and  by  com- 

V/6 


134  sap. 

pelling  by  transplantation  a  plant  to  expend  all  its  accumulated  sap  in  the 
nourishment  of  its  seed,  instead  of  in  the  superabundant  production  of 
foliage,  a  crop  of  seed  may  be  procured,  the  plants  produced  by  which  will, 
in  a  great  measure,  have  the  peculiar  properties  of  the  parent  variety. 

253.  By  a  series  of  progressive  seed-savings  upon  the  same  plan,  plants 
will  be  at  length  obtained,  in  which  the  habits  of  the  individual  have 
become  as  it  were  fixed,  and  capable  of  such  exact  reproduction  by  seed,  as 
to  form  an  exception  to  the  general  rule ;  as  in  Turnips,  Radishes,  &c. 

254.  But  if  the  least  neglect  occurs  in  taking  the  necessary  precautions 
(252)  to  ensure  a  uniform  crop  of  seed,  possessing  the  new  fixed  proper- 
ties, the  race  becomes  deteriorated,  in  proportion  to  the  want  of  care  that 
has  occurred,  and  loses  its  characters  of  individuality. 

255.  In  all  varieties  those  seed  may  be  expected  to  preserve  their  indi- 
vidual characters  most  distinctly  which  have  been  the  best  nourished  (243) ; 
it  is,  consequently,  those  which  should  be  selected  in  preference  for  raising 
new  plants,  from  which  seed  is  to  be  saved. 

256.  When  seed  are  first  ripened,  their  embryo  is  a  mass  of  cellular  sub- 
stance, containing  starch,  fixed  carbon,  or  other  solid  matter,  in  its  cavities ; 
and  in  this  state  it  will  remain  until  fitting  circumstances  occur  to  call  it 
into  active  life. 

257.  These  fitting  circumstances  are,  a  temperature  above  32°  Fahrenheit, 
a  moist  medium,  darkness,  and  exposure  to  air. 

258.  It  then  absorbs  the  moisture  of  the  medium  in  which  it  lies,  inhales 
oxygen  (278),  and  undergoes  certain  chemical  changes ;  its  vital  powers 
cause  it  to  ascend  by  one  extremity  for  the  purpose  of  finding  light,  and 
of  decomposing  its  carbonic  acid  (279),  by  parting  with  its  accumulated 
oxygen,  and  to  descend  by  the  other  extremity  for  the  purpose  of  finding 
a  constant  supply  of  crude  nutriment. 

259.  Unless  these  conditions  are  maintained,  seed  cannot  germinate; 
and,  consequently,  an  exposure  to  light  is  fatal  to  their  embryo,  because 
(278)  oxygen  will  not  be  absorbed  in  sufficient  quantity  to  stimulate  the 
vital  powers  of  the  embryo  into  action,  for  the  purpose  of  parting  with  it 
aga'm,  by  the  decomposition  of  the  carbonic  acid  that  has  been  formed  dur- 
ing its  accumulation. 

X.  Sap. 

260.  The  fluid  matter  which  is  absorbed  either  from  the  earth  or  from 
the  air  is  called  sap. 

261.  When  it  first  enters  a  plant  it  consists  of  water  holding  certain 
principles,  especially  carbonic  acid,  in  solution. 

262.  These  principles  chiefly  consist  of  animal  or  vegetable  matter  in  a 
state  of  decomposition,  and  are  energetic  in  proportion  to  their  solubility, 
or  tendency  to  form  carbonic  acid  by  combining  with  the  oxygen  of  the  air. 

263.  Sap  soon  afterward  acquires  the  nature  of  mucilage  or  sugar,  and 
subsequently  becomes  still  farther  altered  by  the  admixture  of  such  soluble 
matter  as  it  receives  in  passing  in  its  route  through  the  alburnum  or  newly 
formed  woody  tissue  (65). 

264.  When  it  reaches  the  vicinity  of  the  leaves  it  is  attracted  into  them, 
and  there,  having  been  exposed  to  light  and  air,  is  converted  into  the  secre- 
tions peculiar  to  the  species. 


AIR   AND    LIGHT,  135 

265  It  finally,  in  its  altered  state,  sinks  down  the  bark,  whence  it  is  given 
off  laterally  by  the  medullary  rays,  and  is  distributed  through  the  system. 

266.  No  solid  matter  whatever  can  be  taken  up  by  the  roots  ;  for  this 
reason,  metals,  which  in  the  state  of  oxydes  are  poisonous,  are  perfectly 
harmless  in  their  metallic  state,  as  mercury  ;  and  this  is,  no  doubt,  the 
cause  why  liquid  manure,  which  contains  all  the  soluble  parts  of  manure 
in  a  fluid  state,  acts  with  so  much  more  energy  than  stimulating  substances 
in  a  solid  state. 

267.  The  cause  of  the  motion  of  the  sap  is  the  attraction  of  the  leaf- 
buds  and  leaves. 

268.  The  leaf-buds  called  into  growth  by  the  combined  action  of  the 
increasing  temperature  and  light  of  spring,  decompose  their  carbonic  acid 
(279),  and  attract  fluid  from  the  tissue  immediately  below  them  ;  the  space 
so  caused  is  filled  up  by  fluid  again  attracted  from  below,  and  thus  a  motion 
gradually  takes  place  in  the  sap  from  one  extremity  to  the  other. 

269.  Consequently,  the  motion  of  the  sap  takes  place  first  in  the  branches 
and  last  in  the  roots. 

270.  For  this  reason,  a  branch  of  a  plant  subjected  to  a  high  tempera 
ture  in  winter,  will  grow  while  its  stem  is  exposed  to  a  very  low  tempera  ■ 
ture. 

271.  But  growth  under  such  circumetances  will  not  belong  maintained, 
unless  the  roots  are  secured  from  the  reach  of  frost ;  for,  if  frozen  they 
cannot  act,  and  will  consequently  be  unable  to  replace  the  sap  of  which  the 
stem  is  emptied  by  the  attraction  of  the  buds  converted  into  branches,  and 
by  the  perspiration  of  the  leaves  (XII.) 

272.  Whatever  tends  to  inspissate  the  sap,  such  as  a  dry  and  heated 
atmosphere,  or  an  interruption  of  its  rapid  flow,  or  a  great  decomposition 
of  carbonic  acid,  by  full  exposure  to  light,  has  the  property  of  causing  ex- 
cessive vigour  to  be  diminished,  and  flower-buds  to  be  produced. 

273.  While,  on  the  other  hand,  whatever  ten  1s  to  dilute  the  sap,  such 
as  a  damp  atmosphere,  a  free  and  uninterrupted  circulation,  or  a  great  accu- 
mulation of  oxygen  in  consequence  of  the  imperfect  decomposition  of  car- 
bonic acid,  has  the  property  of  causing  excessively  rapid  growth,  and  an 
exclusive  production  of  leaf-buds. 

274.  Inspissated  or  accumulated  sap  is,  therefore,  a  great  cause  of  fertility. 

275.  And  thin  fluid,  not  being  elaborated,  is  a  great  cause  of  sterility. 

276.  The  conversion  of  sap  into  different  kinds  of  secretion  is  effected 
by  the  combined  action  of  Air  {XI.),  Light  (XL),  and  Temperature. 

XL  Air  and  Light. 

277.  When  an  embryo  plant  (242)  is  formed  within  its  integuments,  it 
is  usually  colourless,  or  nearly  so  ;  but,  as  soon  as  it  begins  to  grow,  that 
part  which  approaches  the  light  (the  stem)  becomes  coloured,  while  the 
opposite  extremity  (the  root)  remains  colourless. 

278.  The  parts  exposed  to  the  air  absorb  oxygen  at  night,  absorb  car- 
bonic acid  and  part  with  oxygen  again  in  daylight ;  and  thus  in  the  day- 
time purify  the  air,  and  render  it  fit  for  the  respiration  of  man. 

279.  The  intensity  of  this  latter  phenomenon  is  in  proportion  to  the 
intensity  of  solar  light  to  which  leaves  are  directly  exposed. 

2S0    1U  cause  is  the  decomposition  of  carbonic  acid,  the  extrication  of 


136  AIR   AND    LIGHT. 

oxygen,  and  the  acquisition  by  the  plant  of  carbon  in  a  solid  state ;  from 
which,  modified  by  the  peculiar  vital  actions  of  species,  colour  and  secre- 
tions are  supposed  to  result. 

281.  For  it  is  found  that  the  intensity  of  colour,  and  the  quantity  of 
secretions,  are  in  proportion  to  the  exposure  to  light  and  air,  as  is  shown 
by  the  deeper  colour  of  the  upper  sides  of  leaves,  &c. 

282.  And  by  the  fact  that  if  plants  be  grown  in  air  from  which  light  is 
excluded,  neither  colour  nor  secretions  are  formed,  as  is  exemplified  in 
blanched  vegetables  ;  which,  if  even  naturally  poisonous,  may,  from  want 
of  exposure  to  light,  become  wholesome,  as  Celery. 

283.  When  any  colour  appears  in  parts  developed  in  the  dark,  it  is  gen- 
erally caused  by  the  absorption  of  such  colouring  matter  as  pre-existed  in 
the  root  or  other  body  from  which  the  blanched  shoot  proceeds,  as  in  some 
kinds  of  Rhubarb  when  forced. 

284.  Or  by  the  deposition  of  colouring  matter  formed  by  parts  developed 
m  light,  as  in  the  subterranean  roots  of  Beet,  Carrots,  &c. 

285.  What  is  true  of  colour  is  also  true  of  flavour,  which  equally  de- 
pends upon  light  for  its  existence  ;  because  flavour  is  produced  by  chemi- 
cal alterations  in  the  sap  caused  by  exposure  to  light  (229). 

286.  The  same  thing  occurs  in  regard  to  nutritive  matter,  which  in  like 
manner  is  formed  by  exposure  of  leaves  to  light.  Thus  the  Potato  when 
forced  in  dark  houses,  contains  no  more  amylaceous  matter  than  previously 
existed  in  the  original  tuber ;  but  acquires  it  in  abundance  when  placed  in 
the  light,  and  deposites  it  in  proportion  as  it  is  influenced  by  light  and  air. 
Thus,  also,  if  Peaches  are  grown  in  wooden  houses,  at  a  distance  from  the 
light,  they  will  form  so  little  nutritive  matter  as  to  be  unable  to  support  a 
crop  of  fruit,  the  greater  part  of  which  will  fall  off.  And  for  a  similar 
reason,  it  is  only  the  outside  shoots  of  standard  fruit  trees  that  bear  fruit. 
Considerations  of  this  kind  form  in  part  the  basis  of  pruning  and  training. 

287.  Light  is  the  most  powerful  stimulus  that  can  be  employed  to  ex- 
cite the  vital  actions  of  plants,  and  its  energy  is  in  proportion  to  its  intens- 
ity ;  so  that  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  will  produce  much  more  powerful 
effects  than  the  diffused  light  of  day. 

288.  Hence,  if  buds  that  are  very  excitable  are  placed  in  a  diffused  light, 
their  excitability  will  be  checked. 

289.  And  if  buds  that  are  very  torpid  are  exposed  to  direct  light,  they 
will  be  stimulated  into  action. 

290.  So  that  what  parts  of  a  tree  shall  first  begin  to  grow  in  the  spring 
may  be  determined  at  the  will  of  the  cultivator. 

291.  This  is  the  key  to  some  important  practices  in  forcing. 

292.  This  should  also  cause  attention  to  be  paid  to  shading  buds  from 
the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  in  particular  cases  ;  as  in  that  of  cuttings,  whose 
buds,  if  too  rapidly  excited,  might  exhaust  their  only  reservoir  of  sap,  the 
stem,  before  new  roots  were  formed  to  repair  such  loss. 

293.  As  plants  derive  an  essential  part  of  their  food  from  the  air  (280) 
by  the  action  of  light,  it  follows  that  in  glass  houses  those  which  admit 
the  greatest  portion  of  light  are  the  best  adapted  for  purposes  of  cultiva 
tion. 

294.  The  proportion  of  opaque  matter  in  the  roof  of  a  glass  house  con- 
structed of  wood  varies  from  one  third  to  one  seventh  ;  that  of  an  iron 
house  does  not  exceed  one  twenty-third. 


PERSPIRATION.  137 

295  Therefore,  iron-roofed  houses  are  in  this  respect  better  suited  for 
cultivation  than  wooden-roofed  houses. 

296.  And  it  has  been  found  by  experiment,  that  light  passes  more  freely 
through  a  curvilinear  than  through  a  plane  roof,  and  through  glass  forming 
an  acute  angle  with  the  horizon  than  through  perpendicular  glass,  it  follows 
that  a  curvilinear  roof  is  best,  and  a  plane  roof  with  glass  perpendicular 
sides  the  worst,  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  the  cultivator. 

297.  For  the  same  reason  common  green  glass  is  less  fitted  for  glazing 
forcing-houses  than  white  crown  glass. 

298.  Poisonous  gases  in  very  minute  quantities  act  upon  vegetation  with 
great  energy.  A  ten-thousandth  part  of  sulphurous  acid  gas  is  quickly  fatal 
to  the  life  of  plants ;  and  hence  the  danger  of  flues  heated  by  coal  fires, 
and  the  impossibility  of  making  many  species  grow  in  the  vicinity  of 
houses  heated  by  coal  fires,  or  in  large  towns. 

XII.  Perspiration. 

299.  It  is  not,  however,  exclusively  by  the  action  of  light  and  air  that 
the  nature  of  sap  is  altered.  Evaporation  is  constantly  going  on  during  the 
growth  of  a  plant,  and  sometimes  is  so  copious,  that  an  individual  will 
perspire  its  own  weight  of  water  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours. 

300.  The  loss  thus  occasioned  by  the  leaves  is  supplied  by  crude  fluid, 
absorbed  by  the  roots,  and  conveyed  up  the  stem  with  great  rapidity. 

301.  The  consequence  of  su^h  copious  perspiration  is  the  separation 
and  solidification  of  the  carbonized  matter  that  is  produced  for  the  peculiar 
secretions  of  a  species. 

302.  For  the  maintenance  of  a  plant  in  health,  it  is  indispensable  that 
the  supply  of  fluid  by  the  roots  should  be  continual  and  uninterrupted. 

303.  If  any  thing  causes  perspiration  to  take  place  faster  than  it  can  be 
counteracted  by  the  absorption  of  fluid  from  the  earth,  plants  will  be  dried 
up  and  perish. 

304.  Such  causes  are,  destruction  of  spongioles,  an  insufficient  quantity 
of  fluid  in  the  soil,  an  exposure  of  the  spongioles  to  occasional  dryness, 
and  a  dry  atmosphere. 

305.  The  most  ready  means  of  counteracting  the  evil  consequences  of 
an  imperfect  action  of  the  roots  is  by  preventing  or  diminishing  evapora- 
tion. 

306.  This  is  to  be  effected  by  rendering  the  atmosphere  extremely  humid. 

307.  Thus,  in  curvilinear  iron  hot-houses,  in  which  the  atmosphere  be- 
comes so  dry  in  consequence  of  the  heat,  that  plants  perish,  it  is  necessary 
that  the  air  should  be  rendered  extremely  humid,  by  throwing  water  upon 
the  pavement,  or  by  introducing  steam. 

308.  And  in  transplantation  in  dry  weather,  evergreens,  or  plants  in  leaf, 
often  die,  because  the  spongioles  are  destroyed,  or  so  far  injured  in  the 
operation  as  to  be  unable  to  act,  while  the  leaves  never  cease  to  perspire. 

309.  The  greater  certainty  of  transplanting  plants  that  have  been  grow- 
ing in  pots,  is  from  this  latter  circumstance  intelligible. 

310.  While  the  utility  of  putting  cuttings  or  newly  transplanted  seed- 
lings into  a  shady  damp  atmosphere,  is  explained  by  the  necessity  of  hin- 
dering evaporatioa 


138  CUTTINGS. 

XIII.  Cuttings. 

311.  When  a  separate  portion  of  a  plant  is  caused  to  produce  new  roots 
and  branches,  and  to  increase  an  individual,  it  is  a  cutting. 

312.  Cuttings  are  of  two  sorts:  cuttings  properly  so  called,  and  eyes 
(319). 

313.  A  cutting  consists  of  an  internodia,  or  a  part  of  one,  with  its 
nodi  2692  and  leaf-bud. 

314.  When  the  internodia  is  plunged  in  the  earth  it  attracts  fluid  from 
the  soil,  and  nourishes  the  bud  until  it  can  feed  itself. 

315.  The  bud,  feeding  at  first  upon  the  matter  in  the  internodia,  grad- 
ually enlongates  upward  into  a  branch,  and  sends  organized  matter  down- 
ward, which  becomes  roots. 

316.  As  soon  as  it  has  established  a  communication  with  the  soil,  it  lie- 
comes  a  new  individual,  exactly  like  that  from  which  it  was  taken. 

317.  As  it  is  the  action  of  the  leaf-buds  that  causes  growth  in  a  cutting, 
it  follows  that  no  cutting  without  a  leaf-bud  will  grow  ; 

318.  Unless  the  cutting  has  great  vitality  and  power  of  forming  adven- 
titous  leaf-buds  (119),  which  sometimes  happens. 

319.  An  eye  is  a  leaf- bud  without  an  internodia. 

320.  It  only  differs  from  a  cutting  in  having  no  reservoir  of  food  on 
which  to  exist,  and  in  emitting  its  roots  immediately  from  the  base  of  the 
leaf-bud  into  the  soil. 

321.  As  cuttings  will  very  often,  if  not  always,  develope  leaves  before 
any  powerful  connection  is  formed  between  them  and  the  soil,  they  are 
peculiarly  liable  to  suffer  from  perspiration. 

322.  Hence  the  importance  of  maintaining  their  atmosphere  in  an  uni- 
form state  of  humidity,  as  is  effected  by  putting  bell  or  other  glasses  over 
them. 

323.  In  this  case,  however,  it  is  necessary  that  if  air-tight  covers  are 
employed,  such  as  bell-glasses,  they  should  be  from  time  to  time  removed 
and  replaced,  for  the  sake  of  getting  rid  of  excessive  humidity. 

324.  Layers  differ  from  cuttings  in  nothing  except  that  they  strike  root 
into  the  soil  while  yet  adhering  to  the  parent  plant. 

325.  Whatever  is  true  of  cuttings  is  true  of  layers,  except  that  the  latter 
are  net  hable  to  suffer  by  evaporation,  because  of  their  communication  with 
the  parent  plant. 

326.  As  cuttings  strike  roots  into  the  earth  by  the  action  of  leaves  or  leaf- 
buds,  it  might  be  supposed  that  they  will  strike  most  readily  when  the 
leaves  or  leaf-buds  are  in  their  greatest  vigour. 

327.  Nevertheless,  this  power  is  controlled  so  much  by  the  peculiar  vital 
powers  of  different  species,  and  by  secondary  considerations,  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  say  that  this  is  an  absolute  rule. 

328.  Thus  Dahlias  and  other  herbaceous  plants  will  strike  root  freely 
when  cuttings  are  very  young  ;  and  Heaths,  Azaleas,  and  other  hard-wooded 
plants,  only  when  the  wood  has  just  begun  to  harden. 

329.  The  former  is,  probably,  owing  to  some  specific  vital  excitability, 
the  force  of  which  we  cannot  appreciate  ;  the  latter  either  to  a  kind  of 
torpor,  which  seems  to  seize  such  plants  when  the  tissue  is  once  emptied 
of  fluid,  or  to  a  natural  slowness  to  send  downward  woody  matter,  whether 
for  wood  or  not,  which  is  the  real  cause  of  their  wood  being  harder. 

12* 


*  scions.  139 

330.  If  ripened  cuttings  are  upon  the  whole  the  most  fitted  for  multi- 
plication, it  is  because  their  tissue  is  less  absorbent  than  when  younger,  and 
that  they  are  less  likely  to  suffer  either  from  repletion  or  evaporation. 

33,1.  For,  to  gorge  tissue  with  food,  before  leaves  are  in  action  to  decom- 
pose and  assimilate  it,  is  as  prejudicial  as  to  empty  tissue  by  the  action  of 
leaves,  before  spongioles  are  prepared  to  replenish  it. 

332.  For  this  reason,  pure  silex,  in  which  no  stimulating  substances  are 
contained  (silver  sand),  is  the  best  adapted  for  promoting  the  rooting  of 
cuttings  that  strike  with  difficulty. 

333.  And  for  the  same  reason,  cuttings  with  what  gardeners  call  a  heel 
to  them,  or  a  piece  of  the  older  wood,  strike  root  more  readily  than  such 
as  are  not  so  protected.  The  greater  age  of  the  tissue  of  the  heel  renders 
it  less  absorbent  than  tissue  that  is  altogether  newly  formed. 

334.  It  is  to  avoid  the  bad  effect  of  evaporation  that  leaves  are  usually 
for  the  most  part  removed  from  a  cutting,  when  it  is  first  prepared. 

XIV.  Scions.  " 

335.  A  scion  is  a  cutting  (311)  which  is  caused  to  grow  upon  another 
plant,  and  not  in  the  earth. 

336.  Scions  are  of  two  sorts  :  scions  properly  so  called,  and  buds  (354). 

337.  Whatever  is  true  of  cuttings  is  true  also  of  scions,  all  circum- 
stances being  equal. 

33S.  When  a  scion  is  adapted  to  another  plant,  it  attracts  fluid  from  it 
for  the  nourishment  of  its  leaf-buds  until  they  can  feed  themselves. 

339.  Its  leaf-buds  thus  fed,  gradually  grow  upward  into  branches,  and 
send  woody  matter  downward,  which  is  analagous  to  roots. 

340.  At  the  same  time,  the  cellular  substance  of  the  scion  and  its  stock 
adheres  (19),  so  as  to  form  a  complete  organic  union. 

341.  The  woody  matter  descending  from  the  bud  passes  through  the 
cellular  substance  into  the  stock,  where  it  occupies  the  same  situation  as 
would  have  been  occupied  by  woody  matter  supplied  by  buds  belonging  to 
the  stock  itself. 

342.  Once  united,  the  scion  covers  the  wood  of  the  stock  with  new 
wood,  and  causes  the  production  of  new  roots. 

343.  But  the  character  of  the  woody  matter  sent  down  by  the  scion 
over  the  wood  of  the  stock  being  determined  by  the  cellular  substance, 
which  has  exclusively  a  horizontal  developement%(73),  it  follows  that  the 
wood  of  the  stock  will  always  remain  apparently  the  same,  although  it  is 
furnished  by  the  scion. 

344.  Some  scions  will  grow  upon  a  stock  without  being  able  to  trans- 
mit any  woody  matter  into  it ;  as  some  Cacti. 

345.  When  this  happens,  the  adhesion  of  the  two  takes  place  by  the 
cellular  substance  only,  and  the  union  is  so  imperfect  that  a  slight  degree 
of  violence  suffices  to  dissever  them. 

346.  And  in  such  cases  the  buds  are  fed  by  their  woody  matter,  which 
absorbs  the  ascending  sap  from  the  stock  at  the  point  where  the  adhesion 
has  occurred  ;  and  the  latter,  never  augmenting  in  diameter,  is  finally  over- 
grown by  the  scion. 

347.  When,  in  such  instances,  the  communication  between  the  stock 


140  TRANSPLANTATION. 

.and  the  scion  is  so  much  interrupted  that  the  sap  can  no  longer  ascend 
with  sufficient  rapidity  into  the  branches,  the  latter  die  ;  as  in  many  Peaches. 

348.  This  incomplete  union  between  the  scion  and  its  stock  is  owing  to 
some  constitutional  or  organic  difference  in  the  two. 

349.  Therefore,  care  should  be  taken  that  when  plants  are  grafted  on  one 
another,  their  constitution  should  be  as  nearly  as  possible  identical. 

350.  As  adhesion  of  only  an  imperfect  nature  takes  place  when  the  scion 
and  stock  are,  to  a  certain  degree,  dissimilar  in  constitution,  so  will  no  ad- 
hesion whatever  occur  when  their  constitutional  difference  is  very  decided. 

351.  Hence  it  is  only  species  very  nearly  allied  in  nature  that  can  be 
grafted  on  each  other. 

352.  As  only  similar  tissues  will  Unite  (19),  it  is  necessary,  in  applying 
a  scion  to  the  stock,  that  similar  parts  should  be  carefully  adapted  to  each 
other  ;  as  bark  to  bark,  cambium  to  cambium,  alburnum  to  alburnum. 

353.  The  second  is  more  especially  requisite,  because  it  is  through  the 
cambium  that  the  woody  matter  sent  downward  by  the  buds  must  pass ; 
and  also  because  camhium  itself,  being  organizing  matter  in  an  incipient 
state,  will  more  readily  form  an  adhesion  than  any  other  part. 

354.  The  same  principles  apply  to  buds,  which  are  to  scions  precisely 
what  eyes  (319)  are  to  cuttings. 

355.  Inarching  is  the  same  with  reference  to  grafting,  that  layering  (324) 
is  with  reference  to  striking  by  cuttings. 

356.  It  serves  to  maintain  the  vitality  of  a  scion  until  it  can  form  an 
adhesion  with  its  stock  ;  and  must  be  considered  the  most  certain  mode 
of  grafting. 

357.  It  is  probable  that  every  species  of  flowering  plant,  without  excep- 
tion, may  be  multiplied  by  grafting. 

358.  Nevertheless,  there  are  many  species  and  even  tribes  that  never 
have  been  grafted. 

359.  It  has  been  found  that  in  the  Vine  and  the  Walnut  this  difficulty 
can  be  overcome  by  attention  to  their  peculiar  constitutions  ;  and  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  same  attention  will  remove  supposed  difficulties  in  the  case 
of  other  species. 

XV.  Transplantation. 

360.  Transplantation  consists  in  removing  a  plant  from  the  soil  in  which 
It  is  growing  to  some  other  soil. 

361.  If  in  the  operation  the  plant  is  torpid,  and  its  spongioles  uninjured, 
the  removal  will  not  be  productive  of  any  interruption  to  the  previous 

.rate  of  growth. 

362.  And  if  it  is  growing,  or  evergreen,  and  the  spongioles  are  uninjured, 
the  removal  will  produce  no  farther  injury  than  may  arise  from  the  tem- 
porary suspension  of  the  action  of  the  spongioles,  and  the  non-cessation 
of  perspiration  during  the  operation. 

363.  So  that  transplantations  may  take  place  at  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
and  under  all  circumstances,  provided  the  spongioles  are  uninjured. 

364.  This  applies  to  the  largest  trees  as  well  as  to  the  smallest  herbs. 

365.  But  as  it  is  impossible  to  take  plants  out  of  the  earth  without 
destroying  or  injuring  the  spongioles,  the  evil  consequence  of  such  acci- 
dents must  be  remedied  by  the  hinderance  of  evaporation. 


MONTHLY   CALENDAR.  141 

366.  Transplantation  should  therefore  take  place  only  when  plants  are 
torpid,  and  when  their  respiratory  organs  (leaves)  are  absent ;  or,  if  they 
never  lose  those  organs,  as  evergreens,  only  at  seasons  when  the  atmosphere 
is  periodically  charged  with  humidity  for  some  considerable  time. 

367.  Old  trees,  in  which  the  roots  are  much  injured,  form  new  ones  so 
slowly,  that  they  are  very  liable  to  be  exhausted  of  sap  by  the  absorption 
of  their  very  numerous  young  buds  before  new  spongioles  car;  be  formed. 

368.  The  amputation  of  all  their  upper  extremities  is  the  most  probable 
prevention  of  death  ;  but  in  most  cases  injury  of  their  roots  is  without  a 
remedy. 

369.  Plants  in  pots  being  so  circumstanced  that  the  spongioles  are  pro- 
tected from  injury,  can, .  however,  be  transplanted  at  all  seasons  without 
any  dangerous  consequences. 


INTRODUCTION 


TO    THE 


MONTHLY    CALENDAR 


Teie  object  of  the  following  Calendar  is  to  furnish,  in  a  con- 
densed form,  monthly  directions  for  the  culture  of  some  plants 
not  previously  mentioned  in  this  work;  and  also  to  direct  the 
reader's  attention  to  the  regular  management  of  such  plants 
as  have  been  heretofore  treated  of.  In  pursuit  of  the  latter 
object,  references  will  be  made  to  former  pages,  so  as  to 
exhibit,  at  one  view,  the  business  of  the  garden  in  each 
month  of  the  year.  The  figures  indicate  the  pages  in  which 
farther  directions  may  be  found  relative  to  the  operations 
referred  to. 


342  MONTHLY   CALENDAR. 

JANUARY. 

Winter's  white  sheet  now  covers  earth's  cold  bed ; 
Pride  of  our  home,  the  lovely  Flowers,  are  dead; 
Some  early  venturers  would  the  aspect  cheer, 
The  first-born  children  of  the  dawning  year. 

Having  shown,  in  page  100,  that  heat,  air,  and  water  are 
the  food  of  plants,  and  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  their 
health  and  life,  if  given  in  due  proportion  according  to  cir- 
cumstances, I  would,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  especially, 
salute  the  gardener  with  "  Be  ye  temperate  in  all  things." 

Temperance  in  the  use  of  water  is  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance in  the  winter  season,  for  several  reasons  which  may  be 
given.  In  the  first  place,  water  will  attract  frost,  and,  there- 
fore, should  be  used  very  sparingly  in  frosty  weather ; 
another  consideration  is,  that  in  the  absence  of  heat  and  air, 
plants  cannot  absorb  much  moisture,  and,  consequently,  must 
become  injured  from  excessive  watering;  and  it  may  be 
observed  farther,  that  it  is  not  prudent  to  keep  plants  in  an 
extremely  vigorous  state,  until  the  season  arrives  when  the 
external  air  is  soft  and  salubrious ;  they  can  then  have  a  due 
proportion  of  heat,  air,  and  moisture  at  the  same  time. 

Perhaps  the  next  important  point  to  be  attended  to  at  this 
time  is,  to  see  that  the  green-house,  or  room,  in  which  plants 
are  intended  to  be  preserved,  is  calculated  for  the  purpose. 
The  room  should  be  light  and  airy,  and  yet  so  secure  as  to 
prevent  the  intrusion  of  external  cold  air,  or  the  departure 
of  warm  air  in  the  night  season. 

A  Fahrenheit  thermometer  is  indispensable  in  a  green- 
house, or  room,  where  plants  are  kept,  and  the  temperature 
should  be  always  kept  up  as  nearly  as  possible  to  forty  degrees, 
in  the  absence  of  the  sun.  If  the  gardener  retire  to  rest  in 
this  variable  climate,  leaving  the  mercury  much  below  forty, 
he  may  expect  to  find  his  plants  frozen  in  the  morning. 

A  good  brick  flue  is  better  calculated  for  heating  a  small 
green-house  than  any  other  contrivance ;  because,  after  a 
sufficient  fire  has  been  made  to  heat  the  bricks  thoroughly, 


MONTHLY    CALENDAR.  143 

they  will  retain  the  heat  through  a  winter  night,  whereas  an 
iron  stove  with  its  metal  pipes  will  cool  as  the  fire  gets  low, 
and  expose  the  plants  to  cold  toward  morning,  which  is  the 
time  they  most  need  protection.  The  heat  from  iron  is, 
moreover,  too  dry  and  parching,  while  an  evaporation  or 
salubrious  steam  may  be  raised  from  bricks,  by  spiinkling 
the  flue  occasionally,  which  would  operate  on  plants  similar 
to  healthful  dew-drops. 

At  this  season  of  the  year,  sitting-rooms,  or  parlours, 
are  generally  heated  in  the  daytime  to  full  twenty  degrees 
higher  than  what  is  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  plants  ; 
consequently,  as  the  heat  decreases  in  the  night  season, 
plants  often  get  injured,  unless  a  fire  is  kept  up.  Air  must 
be  admitted  to  plants  kept  in  this  way,  at  all  opportunities ; 
and  more  water  will  be  necessary  for  such  plants,  than  those 
kept  in  a  green-house  would  require.  For  the  management 
of  bulbous  roots  in  pots  or  glasses,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
page  94. 


FEBRUARY. 

Like  shivering  orphans  on  the  wide  world  cast, 
They  feel  the  rigour  of  the  Northern  blast, 
Whilst  Fortune's  Favourites  claim  the  florist's  care, 
And  all  the  comforts  of  the  green-house  share. 

Having  in  the  previous  month  discussed  some  important 
points  relative  to  the  general  care  of  plants,  I  now  proceed 
to  notice  a  few  of  those  kinds  that  require  attention  at  this 
particular  season : 

Camellias,  or  Japan  Roses.  There  are  numerous  varieties 
of  this  valuable  class  of  plants,  exhibiting  every  shade  of 
colour,  from  deep  crimson  to  the  purest  white  ;  in  some 
imperceptibly  blended,  in  others  strikingly  contrasted.  They 
are  unrivalled  objects  of  beauty  from  October  to  May,  being 
set  in  a  fine  glossy  foliage. 


144  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

Double  Camellias  are  generally  propagated  on  stocks  of 
the  single,  which  are  procured  by  planting  cuttings  of  the 
young  shoots  in  light  mould  under  bell  glasses ;  on  these, 
when  grown  to  a  sufficient  size,  are  inarched  the  finer  kinds 
of  double.  Sometimes  these  latter  are  also  struck  by  cut- 
tings; but  as  their  progress  by  such  method  is  generally 
slow  and  uncertain,  it  is  seldom  resorted  to.  These  valuable 
plants  are  too  often  injured  by  amateurs,  from  misapplied 
care  bestowed  upon  them,  so  that  their  whole  compensation 
and  enjoyment  is  reduced  to  the  mere  possession  of  a  hand- 
some green  shrub.  Destined,  from  the  extreme  beauty  and 
unrivalled  delicacy  of  their  flowers,  to  become  the  chief 
pride  and  ornament  of  the  green-house  and  drawing-room 
in  the  winter  season,  Camellias  should  have  a  fair  chance 
given  them  to  exhibit  their  fine  bloom  in  perfection. 

It  should  be  observed,  that  Camellias  are  by  no  means 
tender  shrubs,  but  require  to  be  kept  in  a  medium,  even 
temperature,  and  they  generally  succeed  best  in  a  green- 
house, where  the  atmosphere  is  damp.  As  the  buds  begin 
to  swell,  they  will  require  more  water  than  at  any  other  time, 
which  may  be  applied  from  the  rose  of  a  watering-pot,  or 
syringe,  while  in  bud,  but  when  in  blossom  it  should  be  ap- 
plied to  the  earth. 

If  Camellias  be  kept  where  there  is  a  dry  air,  occasioned 
from  fire  heat,  they  must  have  plenty  of  the  natural  air  at 
all  opportunities,  or  the  buds  will  become  brown  and  fall 
off;  and  if  they  are  exposed  to  extreme  cold  at  night,  which 
is  too  often  the  case  when  kept  in  rooms  of  an  uneven 
temperature,  premature  decay  of  the  buds  will  inevitably  be 
the  consequence. 

To  preserve  Camellias  in  a  healthy  condition,  they  should 
be  kept  in  a  fresh,  moderately  light  soil,  consisting  of  sandy 
loam  taken  from  under  grass  sods,  and  leaf  mould  well 
mixed ;  nothing  being  more  injurious  to  them  than  over- 
potting  ;  they  should  not  be  shifted  into  larger  pots,  until  the 
projection  of  their  roots  show  evidently  that  they  are  in  need 


MONTHLY    CALENDAR.  J 45 

of  it.  Few  plants  bear  privation  of  sunshine  in  summer 
better  than  these  ;  they  should,  however,  be  kept  in  an  open 
situation,  where  they  can  have  a  full  share  of  light  and  air. 

Such  bulbous  roots  as  may  be  in  progress  of  blooming, 
will  require  attention  this  month ;  turn  them  frequently  to 
the  light,  as  recommended  in  page  95,  and  increase  the  sup- 
plies of  water  as  they  advance  toward  perfection. 

Attend  to  Campanula  Pyramidalis,  Hepaticas,  Mimulus, 
Senecios,  and  herbaceous  plants  in  general ;  those  not  in  bud 
should  be  watered  very'sparingly.  Shrubby  plants,  espe- 
cially those  which  bud  and  blossom  in  winter,  and  the  early 
part  of  spring,  as  the  several  varieties  of  the  Acacias,  Aza- 
leas, Calceolarias,,  Correas,  Coronillas,  Daphnes,  Diosmas, 
Eupatoriums,  Eutaxias,  Fuchsias,  Gnidias,  Heaths,  Laurus- 
tinuses,  'Lemon  trees,  Rhododendrons,  Orange  trees,  &c, 
will  require  water  once  or  twice  a  week,  according  to  cir- 
cumstances, and  air  should  be  given  at  all  opportunities,  or 
the  plants  will  not  blossom  in  perfection. 

For  the  benefit  of  such  as  may  wish  to  raise  early  plants 
from  seed,  or  to  force  Dahlia  or  other  roots,  I  subjoin  the 
following  brief  directions  for  making  a  small  hot-bed  :  In*  a 
border  exposed  to  the  morning  sun,  let  a  pit  be  dug  about 
thirty  inches  deep,  five  feet  wide,  and  six  long ;  this  will 
admit  of  two  sashes,  each  three  feet  by  five.  A  frame  of 
suitable  dimensions  may  be  made  of  plank ;  the  back  plank 
may  be  two  feet  wide,  and  the  end  ones  sloped  so  as  to 
make  a  fifteen-inch  plank  do  for  the  front.  The  frame  being 
made,  set  it  over  the  pit,  and  then  get  a  load  of  horse  dung, 
fresh  from  the  livery  stables,  (not  such  as  has  lain  long,  or 
may  have  been  soddened  with  water,)  spread  it  evenly  in 
the  pit  until  full,  then  put  into  the  frame  rich  light  mould, 
or  compost,  to  the  depth  of  ten  or  twelve  inches,  and  the 
seed  may  be  sown  as  soon  as  it  gets  warm,  It  may  be 
necessary  to  observe,  that  in  making  hot-beds,  the  quantity 
of  top  mould  should  be  regulated  according  to  the  substance 
of  the  manure  in  the  pit,  and  this  may  vary  according  to  the 

13 


146  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

use  the  beds  are  intended  for,  or  to  other  circumstances. 
After  the  seed  are  sown,  the  beds  will  require  constant  atten- 
tion ;  cover  up  warm  in  cold  nights,  and  give  air  at  all  oppor 
tunities,  to  prevent  the  plants  from  growing  weak. 

As  we  are  subject  to  northwest  winds  at  this  season,  which 
produce  extreme  freezing,  it  will  be  better  to  delay  the 
making  of  hot-beds  to  the  first  week  in  March,  at  which  time 
opportunities  will  frequently  offer  of  giving  plants  a  tolera- 
ble share  of  salubrious  air,  which  is  indispensable  to  their 
preservation. 


MARCH. 

The  "  Yellow  Crocus"  in  her  simple  dress, 
And  the  "pale  Primrose''  chaste  in  loveliness, 
Though  the  fierce  Storm  King  rides  upon  the  gale, 
Foretel    of  Spring,  'midst  snow  and  cutting  hail. 

As  the  spring  progresses,  the  external  air  will  be  soft  and 
salubrious;  at  which  time  it  should  be  freely  admitted  to 
plants  kept  in  rooms  and  green-houses.  In  proportion  as  the 
plants  get  air,  they  should  have  water  applied  from  the  rose 
of  a  watering-pot. 

Monthly  Roses  will  require  attention  this  month.  It  should 
be  recollected,  that  it  is  from  the  young  wood  of  these  plants 
that  buds  are  to  be, expected;  their  growth  should,  there- 
fore, be  encouraged,  by  admitting  sun  and  air  at  all  oppor- 
tunities, and  water  when  necessary. 

Primulas.  There  are  several  species  of  plants  under  this 
name,  which  exhibit  their  blossoms  in  March  and  April ; 
some  of  which  are  very  beautiful,  as  the  Polyanthus,  English 
Spring  Flowers,  Auricula,  &c. ;  but  I  would  now  direct  the 
reader's  attention  to  the  Chinese  varieties,  some  of  which 
are  pure  white,  and  others  of  a  lilac  colour.  They  are  first 
raised  from  seed  sown  in  the  spring,  and  will  keep  two  or 
three  years. 


MONTHLY    CALENDAR.  147 

Plants  that  are  full  grown,  will  commence  blooming  in 
December,  and  continue  to  produce  umbels  of  flowers  for 
five  or  six  months,  if  well  attended  to ;  they  are  generally  in 
their  prime  this  month,  at  which  time  a  little  water  should 
be  applied  to  the  earth  about  twice  a  week. 

Many  species  and  varieties  of  seed  may  be  sown  this  month 
in  hot-beds  prepared  as  directed  under  the  head  February, 
page  145. 

Auricula,  Polyanthus,  and  all  other  species  of  Primula 
seed,  should  now  be  sown.  Mignonette,  Ten  Week  Stock, 
and  Dahlia  seed,  from  choice  varieties,  may  also  be  sown  in 
pots,  and  care  should  be  taken,  when  the  plants  are  up,  that 
they  be  not  injured  by  excess  of  moisture. 

There  are  some  splendid  varieties  of  the  Schizanthus 
which  deserve  attention  at  an  early  season.  They  are  rather 
difficult  of  cultivation  in  pots,  being  apt  to  suffer  by  excess 
of  heat  or  moisture ;  and  often,  when  in  full  bloom,  die  off 
suddenly  by  decays  at  the  bottom  of  the  stem.  No  plants 
will,  however,  more  amply  repay  all  the  care  and  trouble 
that  may  be  bestowed  on  them,  than  those  of  the  elegant 
genus  Schizanthus.  The  best  soil  for  them  is  loam  and  leaf 
mould,  with  a  small  portion  of  sand.  They  should  be  re- 
potted as  often  as  the  pots  are  filled  with  roots,  till  they 
come  into  full  flower. 

All  the  different  varieties  of  tender  annual,  biennial,  and 
perennial  flower  seed,  designated  thus  §  and  thus  f  in  our 
Catalogues,  pages  18  and  30,  may  be  sown  this  month  in 
hot-beds,  or  in  pots  kept  in  the  green-house. 

Hyacinths,  Narcissus,  and  other  bulbs  in  glasses,  must 
have  the  water  shifted  every  week,  and  the  glasses  should 
be  thoroughly  washed  every  two  or  three  weeks,  96. 

Toward  the  end  of  the  month,  roots  of  Amaryllis  formo- 
sissima,  Gladiolus  psittacinna,  Tiger  Flower,  Tuberose,  and 
such  other  bulbs  as  may  have  been  preserved  dry  through 
the  winter,  may  now  be  planted  in  pots  and  kept  in  a  green- 
house or  light  room,  or  else  plunged  in  a  hot-bed.     Those 


148  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

who  have  no  such  conveniences  may,  however,  delay  the 
planting  of  sound  bulbs,  until  the  weather  will  admit  of  their 
being  planted  in  warm  borders. 

Dahlia  roots  should  now  be  plunged  in  a  hot-bed,  to  for- 
ward them,  with  a  view  to  their  being  separated,  as  soon  as 
the  eyes  are  discernible,  77. 


APRIL. 


As  Nature  feels  the  sun's  life-giving  rays, 
And  genial  showers  now  mark  the  lengthen'd  days, 
Buds  and  sweet  blossoms,  redolent  of  Spring, 
To  meditation  soothing  moments  bring. 

This  is  the  most  important  month  in  the  year  for  gardening 
operations.  If  not  done  toward  the  end  of  the  last  month, 
the  covering  must  be  taken  from  hardy  flowering  plants 
early  in  this  month,  and  the  beds  and  borders  attended  to  as 
directed,  pages  22  and  37  ;  at  the  same  time,  clip  edgings  of 
box,  and  clean,  re-lay,  or  make  new  gravel  walks,  &c,  15  ; 
prune  and  transplant  flowering  shrubs,  39  and  53 ;  trans- 
plant also  hardy  herbaceous  plants,  34  and  35. 

Sow  flower  seed ;  the  hardiest  may  be  sown  in  the  open 
borders,  and  the  tender  in  hot-beds,  23  and  33. 

All  the  soil  of  a  garden  should  be  dug  this  month,  if  pos- 
sible, and  pulverized  as  directed,  22  and  65. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  look  over  all  the  green-house  plants 
in  the  early  part  of  this  month  ;  let  them  be  deprived  of 
dead  wood,  if  any,  by  a,  careful  pruning ;  at  the  same  time 
take  off  all  yellow  leaves ;  the  earth  at  the  top  of  the  pots 
should  be  loosened,  so  as  to  admit  the  sun  and  air  to  the 
roots  of  the  plants,  99  and  101. 

If  insects  prevail  on  Roses  or  other  plants,  a  fumigation 
with  tobacco  will  be  necessary. 

Bulbous  roots  will  require  some  attention  this  month ; 
those  in  bloom  in  the  garden  should  be  tied  up  to  wires  or 


I 

MONTHLY   CALENDAR.  149 

small  sticks ;  and  those  kept  inside   should  be  watered  in 
proportion  as  they  get  heat  and  air. 

The  Calla,  or  Ethiopian  Lily,  and  the  different  varieties 
of  Rhododendrons,  will  need  frequent  watering  while  in  bud 
and  blossom. 

Air  must  be  admitted  freely  to  all  green-house  plants 
toward  the  end  of  this  month,  in  order  to  prepare  them  for 
the  exposure  of  the  open  garden  next  month. 

For  the  method  of  managing  Dahlia  roots,  see  page  77  ; 
prepare  to  plant  tender  bulbous  roots  toward  the  end  of  this, 
or  early  in  the  next  month.  The  following  should  be  for- 
warded in  pots,  which  may  be  kept  in  a  green-house  or  warm 
room,  or  they  may  be  plunged  in  a  hot-bed :  Amaryllises, 
67 ;  Gladioluses,  80 ;  Lilies,  84  j  Tuberoses,  92 ;  Tiger. 
Flowers,  93. 

Hydrangeas,  Pomegranates,  Verbenas,  and  other  decidu- 
ous shrubby  plants,  should  be  cultivated  early  in  this  month, 
to  promote  the  production  of  leaf  and  flower-buds. 

Biennial  seed,  such  as  Wall  Flower  and  Stock  Gilly Flower, 
also  all  kinds  of  tender  perennials,  should  be  sown  this 
month,  if  not  previously  done  in  the  green-house,  or  in  hot- 
beds, 23,  33,  and  103. 

For  an  exhibition  of  the  order  of  the  flowering  tribe  in 
this  month  and  the  next,  the  reader  is  referred  to  an  article, 
entitled  '  The  Beauties  of  April  and  May,'  pages  54  to  62 


MAY. 


The  blue  ey'd  May,  rejoicing  in  her  train, 
Spreads  her  green  mantle  o'er  the  grove  and  plain  j 
From  beds  of  Violets  grateful  odours  rise 
In  fragrant  incense  to  benignant  skies. 

As  the  warm  weather  progresses,  the  gardener  should  be 
on  the  alert,  in  order  to  conquer  the  various  kinds  of  insects. 
Burn  tobacco  leaves  in  the  green-house,  so  as  to  fumigate 

13* 


150  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

the  plants  well,  before  they  are  removed  into  the  open  gar- 
den ;  and  such  plants  as  may  show  any  indications  of  being 
infested  with  the  eggs  of  insects,  should  be  sponged  with 
soapsuds,  and  afterward  well  syringed  and  watered.  Fre- 
quent sprinkling  from  the  rose  of  a  watering-pot  will  pre- 
vent insects  from  accumulating ;  especially  if  the  water  be 
impregnated  with  tobacco,  by  a  bag  of  the  leaves  being 
steeped  therein  a  few  hours  previous  to  using  it. 

Choice  Geraniums  will  need  attention  this  month,  in  order 
that  they  may  exhibit  their  flowers  to  advantage.  When  in 
full  bloom,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  wet  the  foliage  or 
flowers ;  but  this  may  be  done  freely  before  the  buds  are 
expanded. 

If  awnings  were  not  provided  last  month  for  the  protec- 
tion of  choice  flowers,  it  should  be  attended  to  early  in  this 
month,  69,  81,  and  92 ;  plant  Amaryllises,  68 ;  Double 
Dahlias,  78  and  79 ;  Gladioluses,  80 ;  Lilies,  84 ;  Tuberose, 
92  ;  Tiger  Flowers,  93  ;  sow  annual,  biennial,  and  perennial 
flower  seed  in  the  open  borders,  23  to  33.  Attend  to  the 
walks,  edgings,  &c,  and  see  that  tall  plants  are  neatly  tied 
to  sticks,  wires,  or  stakes,  15,  21,  79,  and  81.  Procure  and 
plant  such  perennial  plants  as  may  be  necessary  to  make 
variety  in  the  flower  beds,  34. 

Green-house  plants  may  be  set  out  about  the  middle  of 
the  month,  and  it  should  be  done  in  cloudy  weather,  in  order 
that  they  may  be  prepared  gradually  for  the  shining  of  the 
sun  upon  them.  A  situation  exposed  to  the  sun  for  only  one 
half  the  day  is  preferable  for  most  plants,  especially  if  they 
can  be  shaded  at  noon,  35. 

Many  plants,  such  as  Coronillas,  Heaths,  Aucubas,  Myr- 
tles, Oleanders,  and  several  other  sorts,  are  subject  to  be  in- 
fested with  white  and  brown  scaly  insects;  if  these  cannot 
be  effectually  taken  from  the  plants  by  washing  and  spung- 
ing,  let  the  plants  be  headed  down  early  in  the  month  of 
May,  and  if  they  are  well  attended  to,  new  branches  will 
shoot  out  on  the  old  stem. 


MONTHLY    CALENDAR.  151 

Such  Orange  trees  as  were  budded  last  July  or  August, 
should  be  headed  down  early  in  this  month. 

Auriculas,  Polyanthus,  and  Daisies,  should  be  separated 
into  single  tufts,  and  planted  in  a  shady  border  for  increase, 
as  soon  as  they  have  done  blossoming. 

Such  Carnations  as  may  have  been  wintered  in  frames 
should  now  be  exposed  to  the  open  air,  in  the  flower  borders 

Tulips,  which  will  be  in  full  perfection  by  the  middle  of 
this  month,  will  require  constant  attention. 

Such  green-house  plants  as  may  have  done  blossoming* 
may  be  pruned  this  month,  and  if  the  cuttings  be  planted  at 
this  time  they  will  strike  freely,  101. 

Cuttings  of  Salvia  splendens  and  fulgens  will  produce 
strong  plants  for  blossoming  in  August,  if  planted  early  in 
this  month.  Chrysanthemum  cuttings  should  now  be  put 
down,  and  the  suckers  divided,  and  planted  singly  in  bor- 
ders, or  in  pots,  for  flowering  in  the  autumn,  102. 


JUNE. 


The  blushing  glory  and  the  pride  of  June, 
Blooms  the  red  Rose — why  should  it  fade  so  soon ! 
E'en  the  gay  Tulip  finds  a  rival  here, 
Though  rich  in  tints,  warm,  delicate,  and  clear. 

The  principal  sowing  season  may  be  considered  as  past ; 
but  if  any  failures  should  have  happened  of  former  sowings, 
seed  may  be  sown  the  early  part  of  this  month,  which,  if 
kept  watered  occasionally,  will  grow  quickly. 

Green-house  plants  will  need  watering  every  evening,  in 
dry  warm  weather ;  and  in  the  absence  of  dews,  some  sorts 
may  need  a  little  in  the  morning  at  sunrise,  100 ;  Hydran- 
geas, Daisies,  Polyanthus,  Primulas,  &c,  should  be  kept 
shaded  from  the  noonday  sun,  or  they  will  droop,  and  some 
may  die.  Carnations  and  Pinks  will  need  frequent  waterings 
at  the  roots,  and  the  branches  should  be  tied  neatly  to  rods 


152  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

Such  flowering  shrubs  as  may  have  been  planted  late  in 
the  spring  season,  should  be  regularly  watered  in  dry  weather. 
Give  frequent  waterings  to  the  flower  beds,  in  general ;  cut 
down  dead  flower  stalks  ;  remove  decayed  plants,  and  care- 
fully replace  them  with  vigorous  ones  from  the  nursery  bed. 
Transplant  annual  flower  plants  into  the  regular  beds  with 
a  small  trowel,  or  neat  dibble,  27. 

Plant  Colchicums,  70 ;  finish  planting  Dahlias,  and  pro- 
vide poles  for  their  support,  78  and  79  j  water  them  occa- 
sionally in  dry  weather. 

Many  sorts  of  bulbous  roots  will  be  ripe  by  the  end  of  this 
month  ;  these  should  be  taken  up  and  dried  as  directed, 
page  65.  Those  cultivated  in  pots  should  not  be  watered 
after  the  foliage  is  decayed,  until  the  period  of  re-germina- 
tion takes  place,  66  and  94. 

Numerous  beautiful  flowers  exhibit  themselves  this  month, 
some  of  which  are  noticed  in  an  article,  entitled  '  The 
Beauties  of  April  and  May/  page  54  to  62.  There  are, 
however,  several  others  worthy  of  notice,  which  are  omitted 
in  that  article.  The  several  species  of  Phlox  are  remarka- 
bly showy  plants,  and  very  desirable  to  cultivate,  as  they 
blossom  in  their  several  varieties  the  whole  season.  Beside 
these,  are  the  splendid  varieties  of  Roses,  Pinks,  Lychnises, 
Sweet  Williams,  Fox  Gloves,  Snap-dragons,  Perennial  Lu- 
pins, Verbenas,  Veronicas,  Valerians,  &c.  These  should  all 
be  attended  to,  and  their  branches  tied  to  neat  stakes,  so  as 
to  enable  them  to  exhibit  their  flowers  to  the  greatest  possi- 
ble advantage. 

Dahlias  that  are  intended  for  blossoming  this  year  should 
be  planted  by  the  middle  of  this  month,  if  not  done  before,  78. 


MONTHLY   CALENDAR.  Itf3 

JULY. 

Pinks  and  Carnations,  ye  are  fair  to  view, 
Creative  wisdom  shines  in  every  hue; 
Ye  raise  the  mind,  improve  the  human  heart, 
And  goodly  precepts  gracefully  impart. 

Green-house  plants  will  need  daily  care  at  this  season ; 
let  them  be  watered  every  evening  in  dry  weather.  Such 
Geraniums  as  may  have  grown  large  and  unwieldly,  should 
now  be  pruned,  in  order  that  their  size  and  appearance  may 
be  improved,  101. 

Garden  Roses,  having  done  flowering  for  the  season, 
should  also  be  pruned.  Cut  out  all  old  exhausted  wood,  and 
where  it  is  too  thick  and  crowded,  shorten  such  shoots  as  have 
flowered,  to  a  good  fresh  strong  eye,  or  bud,  accompanied 
with  a  healthy  leaf.  All  wood  that  grows  after  this  pruning 
will  ripen  perfectly,  and  produce  large  flowers  the  ensuing 
year. 

If  dry  warm  weather,  it  may  be  necessary  to  water  such 
flowering  shrubs  and  Roses  as  were  planted  in  the  spring; 
and  if  Dahlia  plants  could  be  watered  two  or  three  times  a 
week,  it  would  be  beneficial  to  their  growth.  Give  regular 
sprinklings  from  the  rose  of  a  watering-pot,  or  syringe,  to 
shrubby  plants  in  general,  but  particularly  Camellias,  Orange 
and  Lemon  trees,  &c,  in  order  to  keep  them  in  a  healthy 
state. 

Such  bulbous  roots  in  pots,  whose  foliage  has  withered, 
should  be  kept  dry  until  the  period  of  re-germination,  66 
and  94 ;  others  may  be  taken  up  as  soon  as  ripe,  after  which 
the  offsets  may  be  parted  off,  and  both  these  and  the  parent 
bulbs  dried  for  planting  in  autumn,  65. 

The  flower  garden  should  be  kept  weeded  and  watered, 
and  the  seed  gathered  as  they  ripen ;  apply  neat  rods  to  tall- 
growing  and  running  kinds  of  plants.  Nip  off  curled  and 
dead  leaves,  and  destroy  insects,  15. 

Orange  and  Lemon  trees  may  be  budded  at  any  time  ttas 
month,  and  those  which  were  headed  down  in  the  spring 


154  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

should  be  examined,  and  all  superfluous  shoots  must  be 
pruned  off  with  a  sharp  knife,  leaving  only  the  strongest ; 
the  tops  of  which  should  be  pruned  off  to  promote  their 
branching.  Myrtles,  Oleanders,  and  such  other  plants  as  may 
have  been  headed  down  in  May,  will  need  similar  treatment. 
Carnations,  Pinks,  Pansies,  Running  Verbenas,  &c,  may 
be  layed  this  month  for  propagation,  33  and  34  ;  many 
kinds  of  cuttings,  as  Geraniums,  Roses,  and  exotic  shrubs, 
may  still  be  planted  with  success,  50. 


AUGUST. 

Brief  is  the  mission  of  the  fragile  Flowers  ; 
Some  droop  and  die  e'er  close  the  sunny  hours  $ 
Just  as  a  maiden,  in  life's  opening  bloom, 
Lamented  sinks  into  an  early  tomb. 

Green-house  plants  will  need  particular  attention  this 
month.  They  should  be  watered  every  evening  in  dry 
weather,  and  as  soon  as  the  extreme  heat  of  the  summer  is 
past,  which  is  generally  by  the  latter  end  of  this  month,  or 
early  in  the  next,  preparation  must  be  made  for  replenish 
ing  with  fresh  compost,  and  re-potting  such  plants  as  are  in 
tended  to  be  cultivated  through  the  winter  in  a  green-house, 
light  room,  or  garden  frames.  Previous  to  the  commence- 
ment of  this  business,  let  such  compost  as  is  suited  to  the 
various  kinds  of  plants  be  provided,  101. 

Those  who  may  have  a  number  of  plants  in  various  sized 
pots,  should  provide  a  few  new  pots  a  size  larger  than  the 
largest  in  use  ;  the  largest  plants  being  shifted  into  the  new 
pots,  leaves  the  next  sized  pots  for  the  second-sized  plants, 
and  by  pursuing  this  plan  of  shifting  until  the  whole  are 
done,  the  smallest  pots  will  be  left  for  such  plants  as  have 
been  propagated  in  the  course  of  the  summer. 

The  shifting  of  plants  requires  considerable  attention  and 
judgment,  as  some  plants,  if  kept  in  too  large  pots,  will  sus- 
tain considerable  injury  :  therefore,  in  such  cases,  where  the 


MONTHLY   CALENDAR.  155 

fibrous  roots  have  not  spread  around  the  pot,  nothing  more 
is  necessary  than  to  rub  off  a  little  of  the  outside  mould,  and 
then  to  substitute  fresh  compost  for  the  roots  to  run  in. 

Such  plants  as  may  have  become  pot-bound,  and  whose 
roots  are  matted  around  the  pot,  will,  in  many  cases,  bear 
reducing.  If  the  matted  roots  are  carefully  pared  off,  and 
the  plants  shifted  into  good  fresh  compost,  they  will  soon  take 
root,  and  grow  freely ;  but  it  will  be  necessary  to  prune  off 
all  surplus  branches  of  the  plants  previous  to  re-potting  them, 
and  to  shade  them  for  a  week  or  ten  days. 

Pieces  of  tile,  or  broken  pots,  should  be  laid  over  the  aper- 
ture at  the  bottom  of  the  pots,  to  enable  the  surplus  moisture 
to  drain  off,  or  the  roots  will  sustain  injury. 

The  flower  beds  will  need  attention  this  month.  "Water 
Dahlias  and  other  choice  plants  in  dry  weather ;  cut  down 
all  decayed  flower  stalks,  as  soon  as  the  seed  is  gathered,  and 
pull  up  annuals  as  they  cease  to  flower. 

Plant  Oxalises  in  small  pots,  86,  and  prepare  compost  for 
other  tender  bulbs  to  be  planted  in  pots  next  month. 

Rose  shrubs,  Orange,  and  Lemon  trees,  &c,  &c,  should 
be  budded  early  in  this  month,  if  not  done  before. 


SEPTEMBER. 

Still  some  with  vigour  lift  their  lordly  heads, 
Imparting  splendour  to  their  cultured  beds, 
In  lustrous  colours  decked,  they  proudly  shine, 
And  look  enchanting  to  their  last  decline. 

Such  green-house  plants  as  may  have  been  re-potted  and 
pruned  in  the  course  of  the  last  month,  should  be  looked 
over,  and  if  they  have  taken  root,  they  should  be  exposed 
gradually  to  the  sun,  and  watered  moderately  in  dry  weather. 

If  any  of  the  green-house  plants  were  plunged  in  the  flower 
beds,  they  should  be  taken  up  and  pruned  early  in  this 
month,  and  then  put  into  suitable  sized  pots,  35.  ^ 


156  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

Half-hardy  perennials,  such  as  Carnations,  Daisies,  Pri- 
mulas, Lilies,  Hydrangeas,  &c,  should  be  taken  up,  divided 
carefully  at  the  roots,  and  then  put  into  moderate  sized  pots, 
and  attended  to  as  before  directed  for  green-house  plants. 

Many  hardy  kinds  of  flower  seed  may  be  sown  this  month, 
24  and  34.  This  is  a  good  season  to  propagate  all  kinds  of 
hardy  perennial  plants,  by  parting  the  roots  ;  and  those  that 
were  raised  from  seed  in  the  spring,  may  be  transplanted 
into  regular  flower  beds,  in  cloudy  or  wet  weather,  27  and 
35.  Plant  Crown  Imperials,  69;  Persian  Cyclamens,  70; 
Ixias,  82  ;  Lachenalias,  83 ;  Lilies,  84 ;  Ornithogalums,  86  ; 
Oxalses,  86. 

Such  Chrysanthemums  as  are  intended  to  be  protected 
while  in  blossom,  should  now  be  taken  up  and  planted  in 
moderate  sized  pots,  102. 

Seeds  of  Schizanthus,  Ten-week  Stock,  Mignonette,  and 
such  other  species  as  may  be  desired  to  decorate  the  parlor 
or  green-house,  should  be  sown  this  month,  103. 


OCTOBER. 

Ling'ring  and  lonely  on  their  trembling  stems, 
Surviving  yet,  are  Flora's  latest  gems  ; 
Their  hour  arrives,  brown  Autumn's  parting  breath 
Sighs  o'er  the  Dahlias  and  proclaims  their  death  ! 

In  the  early  part  of  this  month,  preparation  must  be  made 
for  the  housing  of  green-house  plants.  Previous  to  this  being 
done,  let  the  room  or  green-house  be  whitewashed  with  lime, 
which  will  prove  pernicious  to  insects,  and  prevent  their 
generating  among  the  plants. 

Begin  the  first  week  in  this  month  to  place  all  the  shrubby 
plants,  such  as  Orange  and  Lemon  trees,  on  the  back  shelves; 
others  should  be  so  placed  that  they  can  be  cultivated  to 
advantage,  and  they  should  all  be  arranged  in  regular  grada 
tion,  so  as  to  have  the  low-growing  or  dwarf  plants  on  the 
front  shelves. 


MONTHLY   CALENDAR.  157 

Stock  Gillies  and  Wall  Fovvers  should  be  taken  up,  potted, 
and  kept  in  a  shady  situation  until  they  have  taken  root. 

Such  Dahlia  plants  as  have  been  cultivated  in  pots  should 
be  sheltered  from  the  chilling  air,  and  those  in  the  ground 
will  need  attention,  65  and  66. 

Prepare  the  ground  for  all  the  hardy  kinds  of  bulbous 
flower  roots,  64  and  65.  Toward  the  end  of  the  month  plant 
Anemones  and  Ranunculuses,  68 ;  Crocuses,  69 ;  Crown 
Imperials,  69  ;  Gladioluses,  80 ;  Hyacinths,  81 ;  Irises,  82 ; 
Ixias,  82 ;  Jonquils,  83  ;  Lilies,  84  ;  Narcissus,  85  ;  Ornitho- 
galums,  86  ;  Paeonies,  87 ;  Tulips,  92.  For  the  management 
of  bulbous  roots  in  pots  and  glasses,  see  pages  94  to  96. 
Prune  flowering  shrubs,  and  make  new  plantations  of  them, 
53. 

Chrysanthemums  should  be  neatly  tied  up  to  small  sticks, 
and  watered  occasionally  with  liquid  manure,  to  promote 
their  blossoming  in  full  perfection.  Those  in  pots  intended 
to  be  protected  for  late  flowering,  should  be  watched  and 
taken  in,  on  the  appearance  of  a  frosty  night ;  they  may, 
however,  be  exposed  to  the  air  as  much  as  possible  when  it  is 
soft  and  salubrious,  as  should  all  other  half-hardy  plants,  101 
and  102. 


NOVEMBER. 

As  the  sweet  flowers — men  flourish  and  decay ; 
Howe'er  they  shine  they  quickly  pass  away ; 
If  Virtue  bless'd  them  in  their  mortal  lot, 
Each  has  an  epitaph,  " Forget  me  not" 

During  the  continuance  of  mild  weather,  green-house 
plants  should  have  air  at  all  opportunities,  and  water  in  pro- 
portion as  heat  and  air  are  attainable,  99  and  100.  Bulbous 
roots  in  pots  and  glasses  will  also  need  attention,  94  to  96. 

Half-hardy  plants,  such  as  Stock  Gillies,  Wall  Flowers, 
Carnations,  Primulas,  Hydrangeas,  Daisies,  &c,  must  either 
be  placed  in  frames  or  in  a  green-house  early  in  this  month. 

14 


158  MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 

If  Dahlia,  Tuberose,  and  other  tender  roots  were  not 
taken  up  last  month,  let  it  be  done  in  due  time  this  month, 
65  and  66. 

Cover  up  flower  beds  with  leaves,  straw,  or  light  litter,  37 ; 
finish  planting  bulbous  roots  before  the  frost  sets  in.  Plant 
Anemones  and  Ranunculuses,  68  ;  Crocuses,  69  ;  Hyacinths, 
81 ;  Irises,  82  ;  Ixias,  82  ;  Jonquils,  83  ;  Lilies,  84 ;  Narcissus, 
85 ;  Paeonies,  87  j  Tulip,  88  to  92.  These,  and  all  other 
kinds  of  plants,  will  need  protection  before  the  setting  in 
of  the  winter,  65  and  66.  Flowering  and  ornamental  shrubs 
may  be  planted  in  rnild  weather,  53 ;  lay  long  litter  round 
the  roots  of  them,  and  also  of  the  Grape  vines  and  other 
tender  plants,  shrubs,  &c. 

Before  the  winter  sets  in  severely,  let  such  Chrysanthe- 
mums as  may  have  been  cultivated  in  pots  be  planted  in  the 
garden,  or  as  soon  as  they  have  done  blossoming,  102. 

Plant  Gladioluses  in  pots,  80 ;  also  such  other  bulbous 
roots  as  may  be  required  to  be  kept  in  rooms,  page  95. 

Mignonette,  and  other  tender  seedling  plants  under  pro- 
tection, will  require  attention  at  this  season ;  they  should 
not  be  over-watered,  or  the  plants  will  perish  with  mildew. 

Camellias  should  be  frequently  syringed  while  in  bud,  or 
watered  over  the  foliage  with  a  rose  attached  to  the  water- 
ing pot,  as  should  all  other  shrubby  plants. 


"DECEMBER. 

Descending  snow,  the  yellow  leaf  and  sear, 
Are  indications  of  old  Time's  career  ; 
The  careful  florist  tends  his  sheltered  plants, 
Studies  their  nature,  and  supplies  their  wants. 

If  all  was  not  done  as  directed  last  month,  there  is  now 
no  time  to  be  lost.  All  kinds  of  tender  plants  in  pots  should 
be  set  into  frames  or  pits,  and  plunged  in  old*  tan  or  light 
mould ;  and  in  the  event  of  severe  frosts,  coverings  of  mats, 
straw,  &c,  must  be  laid  over  them. 


MONTHLY    CALENDAR. 


159 


Green-house  plants  will  need  constant  care  and  attention. 
When  water  is  necessary,  let  it  be  given  in  mild  weather,  99. 
In  case  of  accidents  happening  from  frost,  I  would  remark, 
that  the  sudden  transition  from  cold  to  heat  is  often  more  de- 
structive to  plants  than  frost  itself.  If  plants  get  frozen,  and 
cannot  be  screened  from  the  rays  of  the  sun,  they  should  be 
watered  as  the  air  gets  warm,  and  before  they  begin  to  thaw. 
If  sufficient  attention  be  paid,  so  as  to  have  the  temperature 
of  the  house  rise  gradually  as  the  water  is  sprinkled  over 
the  leaves,  it  may  be  a  means  of  preserving  plants  that  would 
otherwise  be  destroyed. 

See  that  the  green-house,  or  room,  in  which  plants  are 
kept,  is  so  secure  as  to  prevent  the  intrusion  of  cold  air,  or 
the  departure  of  warm  air  in  the  night  season. 

Collect  from  heaths  and  rocks  such  kinds  of  earth  as  are 
suited  to  the  different  species  of  exotic  plants,  and  gather 
up  leaves  of  trees.  If  you  intend  to  make  hot-beds  of  them, 
they  should  be  put  together  dry  ;  but  if  you  intend  them  for 
compost,  they  may  be  laid  together  as  wet  as  possible,  in 
order  that  they  may  rot,  for  use  in  succeeding  years. 


160  THE    MATRIMONIAL    GARDEN. 

The  Author  has  appended  the  following  article,  entitled 
'  The  Matrimonial  Garden/  under  the  impression  that  it 
was  appropriate  to  the  subject  treated  of  in  this  work,  and 
would  prove  acceptable  to  most  of  his  readers,  especially 
to  the  fair  sex. 


THE 


MATRIMONIAL     GARDEN, 


Man  is  formed  for  social  enjoyment,  and  if  it  be  allowed 
that  "  It  is  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,"  it  may  be  justly 
inferred  that  it  is  not  good  for  woman  to  be  alone ;  hence  a 
union  of  interests  indicates  a  union  of  persons  for  their  mu- 
tual benefit.  By  this  union,  a  sort  of  seclusion  from  the  rest 
of  our  species  takes  place ;  and  as  a  garden  is  a  retired 
apartment,  appropriated  to  culture  and  improvement,  the 
married  state  may  not  inaptly  be  compared  with  it  in  many 
respects. 

It  is  good  and  honourable  for  the  human  species,  pru- 
dently and  cautiously  to  approach  this  delightful  enclosure. 
Its  entrance  is  usually  extremely  gay  and  glittering,  being 
strewed  with  flowers  of  every  hue  and  every  fragrance  cal- 
culated to  charm  the  eye  and  please  the  taste ;  but  they  are 
not  all  so ;  and  as  there  are  many  persons  who  may  wish  to 
enter  this  garden  at  some  time  or  other,  who  are  yet  stran- 
gers to  its  various  productions,  their  attention  should  be  di- 
rected to  the  cultivation  of  those  plants  which  are  beneficial, 
and  to  the  avoiding  or  rooting  up  of  those  which  are  injurious. 


THE    MATRIMONIAL    GARDEN.  16 1 

And  first,  let  me  caution  adventurers  in  this  garden  not 
to  dream  of  permanent  happiness ;  if  you  should  so  dream, 
experience  will  soon  make  you  wiser,  as  such  happiness 
never  existed  but  in  the  heads  of  visionaries.  If  you  are 
desirous  that  this  garden  shall  yield  you  all  the  bliss  of  which 
it  is  capable,  you  must  take  with  you  that  excellent  flower 
called  Good  Humour,  which,  of  all  the  flowers  of  nature,  is 
the  most  delicious  and  delicate  ;  do  not  drop  it  or  lose  it,  as 
many  do,  soon  after  they  enter  the  garden ;  it  is  a  treasure 
the  loss  of  which  nothing  can  supply.  When  you  get  to  the 
end  of  the  first  walk,  which  contains  about  thirty  steps,t  com- 
monly called  "  The  Honey  Moon  Path,"  you  will  find  the 
garden  open  into  a  vast  variety  of  views,  and  it  is  necessary 
to  caution  you  to  avoid  many  productions  here  which  are 
noxious,  nauseous,  and  even  fatal  in  their  nature  and  ten- 
dency, especially  to  the  ignorant  and  unwary.  There  is  a 
low,  small  plant,  which  may  be  seen  in  almost  every  path, 
called  Indifference.  Though  this  is  not  perceived  on  enter- 
ing, you  will  always  know  where  it  grows,  by  a  certain  cold- 
ness in  the  air  which  surrounds  it.  Contrary  to  the  nature 
of  plants  in  general,  this  grows  by  cold  and  dies  by  warmth ; 
whenever  you  perceive  this  change  in  the  air,  avoid  the  place 
as  soon  as  you  can.  In  the  same  path  is  often  found  that 
baneful  flower  called  Jealousy,  which  I  advise  you  never  to 
look  at,  for  it  has  the  strange  quality  of  smiting  the  eye  that 
beholds  it  with  a  pain  that  is  seldom  or  never  got  rid  of. 
Jealousy  is  a  deadly  flower ;  it  is  the  aconite  of  the  garden, 
and  has  marred  the  happiness  of  thousands. 

As  you  proceed,  you  will  meet  with  many  little  crooked 
paths.  I  advise  you,  as  a  friend,  never  to  go  into  them  ;  for 
although,  at  the  entrance  of  each,  it  is  written  in  large 
letters,  I  am  right,  if  you  do  enter,  and  get  to  the  end  of 
them,  you  will  find  the  true  name  to  be  Perverseness. 
These  crooked  paths  occasion  endless  disputes ;  and  as  it 
is  difficult  to  make  the  crooked  straight,  it  is  better  to  avoid 
f  Thirty  days. 

14* 


162  THE    MATRIMONIAL    GARDEN. 

them  altogether,  lest,  as  sometimes  happens,  a  total  separa- 
tion be  the  consequence,  and  you  take  different  paths  the 
rest  of  your  lives.  Near  this  spot  you  will  meet  with  a 
rough,  sturdy  plant,  called  Obstinacy,  which  bears  a  hard 
knotty  fruit  that  never  digests,  and  of  course  must  injure  the 
constitution ;  it  even  becomes  fatal,  when  taken  in  large 
quantities.      Turn  from  it ;  avoid  it  as  you  would  the  cholera. 

Just  opposite  to  this  grows  that  lovely  and  lively  shrub 
called  Compliance,  which,  though  not  always  pleasant  to  the 
palate,  is  very  salutary,  and  leaves  a  sweetness  in  the  mouth  ; 
it  is  a  most  excellent  shrub,  and  produces  the  most  delicious 
fruit.  Never  be  without  a  very  large  sprig  in  your  hand ; 
it  will  often  be  wanted  as  you  go  along,  for  you  cannot  be 
happy  without  it  in  any  part  of  the  garden. 

In  one  of  the  principal  compartments  stands  a  very  im- 
portant plant,  called  Economy;  it  is  of  a  thriving  quality; 
cultivate  this  fine  plant  with  all  your  care,  for  it  adorns  and 
enriches  at  the  same  time.  Many  overlook  it,  some  despise 
it,  and  others  think  that  they  may  never  want  it ;  it  is  gene- 
rally overlooked  in  the  gayety  and  levity  with  which  people 
enter  this  place,  but  the  want  of  it  is  generally  deplored 
with  bitter  repentance.  There  are  two  other  plants  of  the 
same  species,  which  are  very  closely  connected,  called 
Industry  and  Frugality,  and  I  must  take  leave  to  tell  you, 
that  unless  both  the  male  and  the  female  "partake  largely  of 
their  branches,  very  little  success  can  be  expected  ;  in  this 
they  must  both  unite.  Take  care  that  you  provide  yourself 
and  partner  with  a  supply  of  each  as  soon  as  possible  after 
you  enter  the  garden. 

There  are  two  or  three  paths  which  run  much  into  one 
another ;  in  thern  you  will  find  growing  interspersed  three 
plants,  which  deserve  the  closest  attention  of  the  softer  sex; 
these  are  called  Regularity,  Exactness,  and  Simplicity.! 
Do  not  think,  as  some  do,  that  when  you  have  once  got  into 
the  garden,  you  may  be  neglectful  of  these  plants.  Remem 
f  In  deportment  as  well  as  in  dress. 


THE    MATRIMONIAL    GARDEN.  163 

ber  that  your  companion  will  see  your  neglect,  which  will 
affect  his  eye,  and  may  alienate  his  heart.  Bestow  a  large 
share  of  attention  on  these  plants,  then,  as  soon  as  you  enter 
the  garden,  for  when  you  are  once  fairly  in,  you  are  in  for 
life  ;  the  danger  is,  that  if  you  neglect  them  at  an  early 
period,  you  will  not  find  them  afterward. 

Near  these  walks  is  to  be  found  that  modest  plant,  called 
Humility  : 

It  is  the  Violet,  "  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

It  appears  of  little  worth  in  itself,  but  when  joined  to  other 
virtues,  it  adds  a  charm  to  life,  and  spreads  a  fragrance 
around  its  wearer.  Cultivate,  then,  with  all  your  care,  this 
sweet  little  plant,  and  you  will  find  it  prevent  the  growth  of 
all  poisonous  and  noxious  weeds. 

Allow  me  also  to  drop  a  hint  on  the  subject  of  Cultivation, 
as  connected  with  Propagation,  as  that  most  probably  will 
be  your  employment  in  this  garden,  sooner  or  later.  Should 
you  have  the  rearing  of  a  young  plant,  remember  that  it  is 
frail  in  its  nature,  and  liable  to  be  destroyed  by  every  blast, 
and  will  demand  all  your  care  and  attention.  Should  you 
witness  a  blast  on  its  dawning  beauties,  O  !  how  your  fond 
heart  will  bleed  with  tenderness,  affection,  and  sympathy  ! 
The  young  shoot  will  naturally  twine  around  all  the  fibres 
of  your  frame.  Should  it  live  and  thrive,  spare  no  pains  to 
"  train  it  up  in  the  way  it  should  go."  Weed  it,  water  it, 
prune  it ;  it  will  need  all  your  skill.  Without  this,  many 
weeds  and  baneful  plants  will  grow  up  with  it,  and  blast 
your  fondest  hopes.  Be  ever  mindful  that  this  is  a  trust 
for  which  both  parties  are  accountable. 

Without  careful  cultivation,  what  can  you  expect  but  the 
most  luxuriant  growth  of  unruly  appetites,  which,  in  time, 
will  break  forth  in  all  manner  of  disgraceful  irregularities  1 
What,  but  that  Anger,  like  a  prickly  thorn,  will  arm  the 
temper  with  an  untractable  moroseness  ]  That  Peevishness, 
like  a  stinjrinsr  nettle,  will  render  the  conversation  irksome 


104  THE    MATRIMONIAL    GARDEN. 

and  forbidding?  That  Avarice,  like  some  choaking  weed, 
will  teach  the  fingers  to  gripe,  and  the  hands  to  oppress  ] 
That  Revenge,  like  some  poisonous  plant,  replete  with  bane- 
ful juices,  will  rankle  in  the  breast,  and  meditate  mischief  to 
its  neighbour  %  While  unbridled  Lust,  like  swarms  of 
noisome  insects,  taint  each  rising  thought,  and  render  "  every 
imagination  of  the  heart  only  evil  continually."  Such  are 
the  usual  products  of  unrestrained  nature  !  such  the  furni 
ture  of  the  uncultivated  mind ! 

By  all  means,  then,  pay  due  attention  to  culture.  By 
suitable  discipline,  clear  the  soil ;  by  careful  instruction,  im 
plant  the  seed  of  virtue.  By  skill  and  vigilance,  prune  the 
unprofitable  and  over-luxuriant  branches  :  "  direct  the  young 
idea  how  to  shoot,"  the  wayward  passions  how  to  move. 
The  mature  man  will  then  become  the  chief  ornament  of 
the  garden.  Around  him  Charity  will  breathe  her  sweets, 
and  in  his  branches  Hope  expand  her  blossoms.  In  him 
the  personal  virtues  will  display  their  graces,  and  the  social 
ones  their  fruit ;  the  sentiments  become  generous,  the  car- 
riage endearing,  the  life  useful,  and  the  end  happy  and 
peaceful. 


165 

- 
TO  THE  PEOPLE 

OF    THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  : 

An  application  having  been  made  to  your  Representatives  in  Congress  to 
vote  a  sum  equal  to  five  cents  from  each  individual  in  the  United  States, 
or  about  a  million  dollars  of  your  resources,  to  the  promotion  of  an 
improved  system  of  "  Terra-culture,"  as  described  in  Senate,  Document 
No.  23,  of  the  third  session  of  the  25th  Congress,  I  hereby  direct  your 
attention  to  a  few  extracts  taken  from  the  applicant's  preamble  ;  copies  of 
which  were  forwarded  to  each  member  of  the  26th  Congress,  in  session, 
November  30,  1839,  by  Russell  Comstock. 

From  the  Poughkeepsie  Eagle,  of  January  25, 1840. 

PRESERVATION  OF  FRUIT  TREES,  PLANTS,  &c 
GREAT  DISCOVERY. 
"  To  the  Hon.  Perry  Smith,  Chairman  of  the  United  States  Senate  Com- 
mittee on  Agriculture  of  the  25th  Congress.  "  With  the  consent  and  by 
the  advice  on  the  23d  inst,  of  the  chairman  of  the  United  States  Senate 
Committee  on  Agriculture  of  the  25th  Congress,  I  forward  to  each  member 
of  the  26th  Congress  the  accompanying  document  dated  the  14th  inst;  the 
object  is  to  show  you  some  of  the  proof  that  a  discovery  of  vital  importance 
to  civilized  man  has  been  made,  which  in  several  letters  from  different 
members  of  the  present  and  last  Congress  is  valued  at  hundreds  of  mil- 
lions of  days'  labour,  and  worth  more  than  all  the  discove- 
ries    OF    THE     PRESENT     AGE    COMBINED THE     APPLICATION    OF    STEAM 

NOT  EXCEPTED. 

"  For  what  purpose  would  all  the  owners  of  the  public  lands  more  freely 
or  gratefully  consent  to  give  one  hundreth  ^art  of  those  lands,  or  the  pro- 
ceeds thereof]  Would  they  not  be  grateful  to  those  members  of  Congress, 
who  assist  in  giving  the  owners  of  the  public  domain  the  desired  informa- 
tion, and  reverence  them  as  benefactors  of  human  kind. 

"For  the  honour  of  the  Republic,  for  the  honour  of  the  age,  and  for  the 
interest  and  comfort  of  the  living,  as  well  as  the  unborn,  let  not  that  disco- 
very which  may  cause  two  seeds  to  ripen  where  one  now  does,  which  pre- 
vents the  premature  death  of  all  cultivated  trees,  which  has  been  searched 
for  in  vain  during  the  history  of  all  civilized  society,  die  with  the  discoverer 
for  want  of  the  action  of  the  United  States  Congress." 

Our  patriotic  discoverer  "  claims  the  following  five  discoveries  as  his, 
besides  other  discoveries  which  are  stated  in  his  memorial  to  the  25th  Con- 


16G 

■ 

1st.  "  That  various  diseases,  universally  supposed  to  be  destructive  to 
plants  are  only  symptoms  that  a  particular  error  in  cultivation  has  been 
committed ;  and  that  many  other  injurious  effects  have  been  produced  by 
the  same  error,  which  are  attributed  to  other  causes. 

2d.  "  That  the  error  is  universally  committed,  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent,  throughout  the  States,  and  that  he  has  seen  an  excess  of  it  where- 
ever  he  has  been,  which  is  in  the  Atlantic  States,  from  Georgia  to  Massa- 
chusetts, inclusive. 

3d.  "  That  the  Peach  and  Nectarine  are  more  easily  injured  by  tha 
error  than  most  other  Fruit  trees,  and  the  cause  of  their  being  more  easily 
injured  by  it ;  and  that  this  error  causes  them  to  be  barren,  or  short-lived. 

4th.  "  That  the  application  of  two  known  laws  in  nature  demonstrate 
the  reality  of  his  discovery  and  its  application  to  the  whole  vegetable  king 
dom  j  and  that  by  them,  his  discovery,  (if  publicly  known,)  must  be  per 
petuated,  and  his  practice  more  easily  introduced  :  and  that  by  these  two 
laws  the  occasional  success  of  common  remedies  is  explained. 

5th.  "  That  the  said  error  is  the  obstacle  which  has  discouraged  experi- 
menters, and  lamentably  retarded  improvements  in  the  scieneeand  practice 
of  agriculture ;  and  that  he  has  discovered  facts  and  made  himself  acquainted 
with  knowledge  sufficient  to  reduce  them  to  practice." 

We  are  farther  informed,  "  that  it  is  neither  climate,  nor  soil,  nor  insects, 
nor  worms,  that  are  the  cause  of  many  of  the  disastrous  effects  that  have 
been  attributed  to  them,  but  that  those  effects  are  produced  by  error  in  cul- 
tivation, which  diseases  the  smallest  plant  or  largest  tree." 

Our  modest  and  patriotic  fellow-citizen  admits,  in  the  course  of  his 
preamble,  "that  the  practical  part  of  his  discovery  is  so  extremely  simple 
and  economical,  that  it  costs  no  more  to  prevent  the  diseases  than  it  does 
to  produce  them  ;  and  that  it  is  so  different  from  the  established  theories 
and  habits  of  the  people,  that  unless  a  large  amount  be  appro- 
priated, many  will  be  unwilling  to  try  it,  and  therefore  the  public  good 
seems  to  require  that  a  large  amount  should  be  appropriated."  He  more- 
over asserts,  that  "there  are  two  known  laws  in  nature,  by  which  the  reality 
of  his  discovery,  and  its  application  to  the  whole  vegetable  kingdom,  are 
demonstrable  in  less  than  thirty  words." 

That  this  invaluable  secret,  whatever  it  may  be,  is  not  strictly  speaking 
a  new  discovery,  is  demonstrable  by  numerous  living  witnesses  which  have 
inhabited  the  fields  of  the  old  world  for  over  a  thousand  years  ;  and  our 
discoverer  freely  admits,  and  in  very  emphatic  language,  that  there  are 
thousands  of  trees  in  our  own  opuntry  on  which,  what  he  terms  *  the  com- 
mon error  "  has  never  been  committed  ;  and  also,  that  several  of  the  fifteen 
gentlemen  to  whom  lie  communicated  his  secret,  "confidently  for  ever"  have 
some  such  trees  on  their  own  domains. 

Hear  him — "The  Senator  from  Missouri,  (Mr.  Linn,)  said,  that  the  most 
flourishing  and  healthy  Peach  tree  in  his  possession  had  never  had  what  I 
call  the  common  error  in  cultivation  committed  upon  it." 

"  The  Senator  from  Pennsylvania,  (Mr.  McKean,)  said,  that  he  had  long 
supposed  that  what  I  call  the  common  error,  was  an  error,  but  that  he  had 
no  idea  of  such  extensive  evils  arising  from  it." 

"  The  Senator  from  Maryland,  (Mr,  Spence.)  said,  that  in  his  district  it 
was  a  universal  custom  to  commit  what  I  call  the  common  error  in  cultiva- 
tion, on  the  fruit  trees,  and  that  it  was  common  to  have  no  Plums  perfect 


167 

and  free  from  worms,  excepting  on  a  few  of  his,  on  which  the  error 
had  not  been  committed  for  twenty  years,  if  ever  ;  and  those  few  (four) 
continued  to  bear  abundantly  annually  ;  that  he  had  no  recollection  of  ever 
seeing  an  imperfect  wormy  Plum  on  either  of  these  four  trees,  but  that  he 
had  never  supposed  that  to  have  been  the  cause  of  their  perfection." 

The  Senator  from  South  Carolina,  (Mr.  Calhoun,)  to  whom  I  am  indebted 
for  pointing  out  one  symptom  of  the  error,  and  for  a  valuable  suggestion  in 
the  culture  of  plants,  said,  "while  examining  the  defective  trees  around  the 
Capitol,  that  the  principle  when  exhibited  was  very  plain  and  simple,  that 
it  was  philosophical,  and  in  his  opinion  it  could  not  be  neglected  without 
injury  to  the  health  and  growth  of  trees  and  plants,  and  deserving  of  pub- 
lic patronage." 

"  The  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  (Mr.  Johnson,)  said,  that  my 
discovery  was  perfectly  consistent  with  the  laws  of  nature ;  and  (when 
observing  a  few  trees  near  the  Capitol,  which  had  been  injured  by  the  error, 
and  were  recovering,)  farther  remarked,  that  my  theory  was  essentially  cor- 
rect and  obvious  to  the  most  superficial  observer." 

"  The  member  from  New-York,  (Mr.  Jackson,)  said,  that  he  had  reared 
an  orchard  on  which  he  had  carefully  avoided  an  excess  of  what  I  call  the 
common  error,  and  that  it  had  been  admired  as  the  most  flourishing  and 
fruitful  orchard  in  the  neighbourhood  ;  and  that  he  had  recently  seen  a  field 
of  Indian  corn,  which  yielded  more  than  one  hundred  bushels  of  shelled 
grain  to  the  acre,  in  which  an  excess  of  the  error  had  been  avoided,  while 
the  success  was  attributed  to  quite  a  different  cause." 

From  the  preceding  extracts,  it  is  evident  that  this  inestimable  treasure 
lays  near  the  surface ;  and  from  the  disclosure  having  been  communicated 
to  rational  and  intelligent  minds,  it  is  preposterous  to  expect  that  thoso 
gentleman  can,  in  the  pursuit  of  their  rural  avocations,  act  directly  con- 
trary to  knowledge  and  sound  judgment ;  they  must,  therefore  necessarily 
and  unavoidably  communicate  the  secret  by  their  example,  which  will 
eventually  disseminate  in  proportion  as  mankind  take  an  interest  in  the 
merits  of  the  alleged  discovery. 

But  lest  the  full  benefits  of  this  invaluable  remedy  should  be  withheld 
from  the  community  for  want  of  the  action  of  the  United  States  Congress, 
I  have  submitted  an  exposition  of  my  views  of  the  particular  points 
adverted  to  in  the  preamble,  which  may  be  found  under  the  heads,  Necta- 
rine, Peach,  and  Plum,  pages  91,  98  and  124  of  the  third  part  of  the  present 
edition  of  the  Young  Gardener's  Assistant ;  and  I  would  furthermore 
remind  my  readers  that  the  directions  heretpfore  given  in  this  and  previous 
editions  of  the  work  are  in  strict  accordance  with  the  same  doctrine  ;  and 
that  although  the  error  alluded  to  is  admitted  to  have  been  very  generally 
committed,  I  am  not  aware  that  any  writer  has  ever  taught  or  encouraged 
the  error,  either  direct  or  indirect ;  I  confess,  however,  that  I  have  been 
induced  to  expatiate  on  this  malpractice  in  horticulture  from  the  subject 
having  elicited  the  grave  consideration  of  enlightened  legislators  of  these 
United  States. 

And  lest  these  my  voluntary  disclosures  should  prove  to  have  no  bearing 
on  the  alleged  discovery,  I  would  prepare  the  public  mind  for  its  reception 
by  an  exhortation  to  temperance  and  modeiiation,  as  the  only  safe 
course  that  can  be  considered  applicaWe  to  the  cultivation  of  all  the  varied 
species  of  plants,  which  comprise  "  the  whole  vegetable  kingdom."     In 


168 

articles  page  2G  of  the  first  part,  and  pages  16,  28  and  97  of  the  second 
part,  I  have  shown  that  the  various  species  of  plants  which  occupy  our 
greenhouses,  gardens,  and  fields,  require  each,  their  peculiar  aliment — they 
having  been  collected  from  all  the  diversified  regions,  climates,  and  soils 
through  earth's  remotest  bounds  ;  they  consequently  comprise  natives  of 
mountains  and  rocks,  as  well  as  of  plains,  valleys,  and  water  courses.  The 
most  essential  aliment  for  natives  of  warm  climates  and  dry  soils  being 
heat,  artificial  means  are  used  in  cool  seasons,  and  unpropitious  climates 
to  produce  it.  Natives  of  temperate  climates  require  salubrious  air,  hence 
they  are  cultivated  to  the  greatest  perfection  in  our  Northern  States  in 
spring  and  autumn  ;  and  in  our  Southern  States  in  the  winter;  seepage 
147  of  the  first  part;  and  natives  of  humid  climates,  as  also  amphibious 
plants  in  general,  require  a  more  than  ordinary  share  of  moisture,  and 
grow  best  in  wet  soil;  but  these  three  elements  collectively  Constitute 
the  food  of  plants  in  general,  and  should  be  judiciously  imparted  to  the 
various  species,  in  due  proportions,  according  to  circumstances.  See  pages 
49,  64  and  67  of  the  first  part,  for  a  more  precise  view  of  this  subject.  I 
have  also  shown  that  the  roots  of  various  species  of  plants  require  each 
their  peculiar  aliment,  which  is  not  to  be  found  in  all  descriptions  of  land; 
this  is  demonstrated  by  roots  of  trees  being  frequently  discovered  spreading 
beyond  their  ordinary  bounds  in  quest  of  salutary  food. 

Although  it  has  been  admitted  that  excessive  deep  planting  of  trees  and 
plants  is  injurious,  and  in  many  cases  fatal  to  their  very  existence,  it  does 
not  follow  that  all  annuals  and  biennials  are  injured  by  the  same  means  ; 
on  the  contrary,  the  earthing  up  of  particular  species  of  plants  in  a  late 
stage  of  growth  is  calculated  to  promote  early  maturity,  which  constitutes 
the  most  essential  art  in  gardening  for  the  market ;  because  the  earliest 
crops  are  always  the  most  profitable.  It  is  moreover  a  necessary  practice 
in  climates  where  the  seasons  for  gardening  are  short — as  without  such 
practice,  many  kinds  of  vegetables  could  not  possibly  be  matured  in  due 
season  for  gathering  before  winter. 

I  would  here  take  the  opportunity  of  proving  this  last  position,  by 
reminding  the  reader  that  the  effects  of  deep  planting,  the  Peach  tree  for 
instance,  is  discoverable  soon  after  the  error  is  committed,  by  its  fruit  ripen- 
ing prematurely,  and  this  is  often  the  case  for  a  year  or  two  prior  to  its 
final  decease,  and  should  operate  as  a  salutary  lesson  against  planting 
perennial  plants  and  trees  too  deep. 

In  conclusion  of  this  article,  which  is  intended  as  an  appendage  to  my 
works  on  gardening,  I  would  urge  gardeners  and  cultivators  to  consult  the 
operations  of  nature  in  all  their  rural  pursuits ;  and  with  a  view  to  aid 
them,  I  subjoin  the  following  rules,  which  are  farther  illustrated  under  the 
different  heads : 

1.  In  transplantiug  fruit  trees,  let  the  collar,  or  that  part  from  which 
emanate  the  main  roots,  be  near  the  surface.  A  medium  sized  tree  may  be 
planted  an  inch  deeper  than  it  was  in  the  nursery  bed ;  and  the  largest 
should  not  exceed  two  or  three  inches.  See  pages  93,  101  and  125  of  the 
third  part  of  the  present  edition  of  the  Young  Gardener's  Assistant. 

2.  In  the  cultivation  of  such  plants  as  are  transplanted,  or  grown  in  hills 
or  clusters,  as  Indian  Corn,  &c,  keep  the  earth  loose  but  level  around  them 
in  their  early  stages  of  growth,  by   frequent  hoeing,  ploughing,  or  culti- 


169 

bating ;  and  to  promote  early   maturity,   throw  a  moderate  portion  of 
earth  about  the  roots  and  stems  at  the  last  or  final  dressing. 

3.  In  the  sowing  of  seed,  remember  that  in  unity  there  is  strength, 
and  that  from  the  gerrninative  parts  of  a  seed  being  weak  and  diminutive, 
it  cannot  be  expected  to  perforate  through  the  soil,  solitary  and  alone.  To 
insure  a  fair  chance  plant  your  seed  moderately  thick,  and  thin  out  tho 
surplus  plants  while  young.  In  planting  seed  in  drills,  which  is  the  most 
eligible  plan,  the  size  of  the  seed  and  strength  of  its  germ  should  be  consi- 
dered ;  large  seed,  producing  vigorous  roots,  require  deeper  planting  than 
diminutive  seed,  producing  delicate  roots  and  slender  stalks. 

4.  In  the  choice  of  compost  for  exotic  or  greenhouse  plants,  imitate  the 
native  soil  of  each  peculiar  species  as  nearly  as  possible,  by  a  judicious 
mixture  of  maiden  earth,  loam,  sand,  leaf,  swamp,  and  rock  mould,  decom- 
posed manures,  and  such  other  composts  as  ate  recommended  under  the 
■different  heads.  Remember,  that  although  strong  manure  is  essential  to 
the  growth  of  some  plants,  it  is  poisonous  to  others.  Pursue,  then,  a 
medium  course.  From  your  soil  not  being  too  stiff  or  too  light,  too  rich 
or  too  poor,  too  cool  or  too  warm,  too  close  or  too  porous,  if  not  positively 
salutary  and  congenial  to  all,  it  must  render  the  situation  of  each  endura- 
ble. I  again  repeat,  that  temperance  in  the  use  of  aliment,  is  as  essential 
to  the  welfare  of  the  vegetable  family  as  it  is  to  the  health,  happiness,  and 
longevity  of  mankind. 

T.  BRIDGEMAN. 
New- York,  March  4,  1840. 

95"  Since  this  address  has  been  in  press,  I  have  seen  another  article  in 
the  Poughkeepsie  Eagle,  dated  February  29,  1840,  wherein  our  modest 
and  patriotic  discoverer  gratuitously  pronounces  his  knowledge  as  superior 
to  that  of  "  all  Botanical  and  Agricultural  known  writers  J"  As  I  have 
anticipated  the  merits  of  this  second  valuable  discovery  in  my  books,  I  have 
nothing  more  to  say  than  to  remind  the  reader  that  this  uncalled  for  attack 
on  the  brethren  of  my  fraternity,  fully  justifies  not  merely  the  publication, 
but  the  most  general  circulation  of  these  my  voluntary  disclosures. 


RETROSPECTIVE  VIEW. 

This  summary  view  of  estimates  is  annexed,  in  order  to  aid  the  Seeds* 
man  and  Gardener  in  making  out  a  bill  of  seed  for  the  purpose  of  planting 
any  given  quantity  of  ground,  under  the  regulations  suggested  in  tho 
Vegetable  Department  of  the  Young  Gardener's  Assistant,  to  which  the 
reader  is  referred  for  a  more  concise  view  of  the  subject. 

Pag* 
Artichoke  ;  an  ounce  of  seed  will  produce  600  plants,  *        •        31 

Asparagus;  one  ounce  will  be  sufficient  for  1000  plants  35 

Beans,  English  Dwarf;  one  quart  of  seed  will  be  required  for  every 

sixty  feet  of  row,  --------40 

Beans,  Kidney  Dwarf ;  one  quart  of  seed  will  plant  from  350  to  400 

hills,  or  from  230  to  260  feet  of  row,        ...        *        *        42 


170  RETROSPECTIVE   VIEW. 

Page. 
Beans  Pole,  or  Running  ;  one  quart  of  Lima,  or  large  running  Beans 

will  plant  about  300  hills,  or  250  feet  of  row,  43 

Beet ;  one  ounce  may  be  allotted  for  every  perch,  or  pole,  45 

Borecole,  or  Kale ,  an  ounce  will  produce  4000  plants,  46 

Broccoli ;  one  ounce  is  sufficient  for  4000  plants,     -        -        -        -  50 

Cauliflower ;  an  ounce  of  this  seed  will  produce  4000  plants,           -  53 

Cabbage ;  one  ounce  will  produce  4000  plants,      -         -         -         .  55 

Cardoon  Artichoke ;  an  ounce  will  produce  600  plants,          -        -   .  53 

Carrot j  half  an  ounce  may  be  allotted  for  every  pole,  59 

Celery;  an  ounce  of  seed  will  produce  10,000  plants,  60 
Corn  Salad,  or  Fetticus  }  one  ounce  of  seed'will  sow  about  two  poles 

of  ground, ,...63 

Cucumber ;  one  ounce  of  seed  is  sufficient  for  200  hills,  65 

Egg  Plant ;  an  ounce  of  seed  will  produce  4000  plants,  67 

Endive,  or  Succory ;  an  ounce  will  yield  5000  plants,  6S 

Leek;  one  ounce  of  seed  may  be  allotted  for  3000  plants,       -        -  71 

Lettuce  j  an  ounce  will  produce,  say  10,000  plants,  73 

Melon  ;  one  ounce  of  seed  will  produce  from  120  to  150  hills,        -  74 

Melon,  Water ;  an  ounce  will  plant  from  40  to  50  hills,  75 

Onion ;  one  ounce  of  seed  may  be  allotted  for  every  pole,  78 

Parsley  ;  two  ounces  may  be  allowed  for  three  perches,  80 

Parsnip  ;  two  ounces  may  be  allotted  for  three  perches,          -         -  81 

Pepper ;  one  ounce  of  seed  will  produce  3000  plants,  82 

Peas  ;  one  quart  will  plant  from  150  to  200  feet  of  row,  84 

Potatoes  ;  from  twelve  to  sixteen  bushels  may  be  allotted  for  an  acre,  85 
Potatoes,  Sweet ;  half  a  peck  of  seed,  properly  managed,  will  produce 

15  bushels, 86 

Pumpkin  ;  one  quart  of  field  Pumpkin  will  plant  from  500  to  600 

hills,  and  one  ounce  of  the  finest  kinds  will  plant  from  50  to  80  hills,  87 
Radish ;  four  ounces  will  do  for  every  three  perches,  if  sown  broad- 
cast, and  about  half  the  quantity  if  sown  in  drills,  89 
Salsify  ;  two  ounces  of  this  seed  will  plant  three  perches,  93 
Shallots ;  four  bushels  of  bulbs  will  plant  forty  poles,  -  -  -  9S 
Spinach  ;  if  cultivated  in  drills,  four  ounces  will  plant  five  perches  of 

land.     If  broadcast,  it  will  require  double  the  quantity,  99 
Squash ;  an  ounce  of  seed  will  plant  from  50  to  100  hills,  according 

to  sorts  and  size,           -..---*-.  100 

Tomato  ;  one  ounce  of  seed  will  produce  4000  plants,         ••        -  101 

Turnip  ;  one  pound  of  seed  is  sufficient  for  an  acre  of  land,          -  105 


QUANTITY  OF  GRASS   SEED  SUITABLE  TO  THE  ACRE. 
Clover,  sown  alone,  -  -  12  pounds.    I    Orchard  Grass,  -  -  -      2  bushels. 

Timothy, 1  peck.  Rye  Grass, 2  bushels. 

Herds  Grass, 1  bushel.     |    Lucerne, 8  pounds. 

For  a  pasture  for  grazing,  the  following  mixtures  of  seed  would  be  found 
excellent,  viz  :  6  pounds  of  clover  seed,  1  peck  of  herds  grass,  and  half  a 
bushel  of  Orchard  grass  seed— or  6  pounds  clover,  half  a  bushel  of  rye 
grass,  and  half  a  bushel  of  tall  meadow  oat  seed. 


171 


COMMENDATORY  NOTICES. 


"The  first  edition  of  "The  Young  Gardener's  Assistant"  has  been 
fevourably  noticed  in  France  : — "  One  of  the  leading  articles  of  the  Annates 
de  V Institute  Royal  Horticole  de  Fromont,  is  a  long  notice  of  "  The  Young 
Gardener's  Assistant,"  by  Mr.  Thomas  Bridgeman,  of  this  city.  The 
editor,  Le  Chevalier  Soulange  Bodin,  speaks  of  the  little  work  in  very 
commendable  terms." — New  T&rk  Farmer. 

Extract  of  a  review  of  this  work  in  the  Magazine  of  Horticulture,  Botany, 
&c,  published  by  Hovey  &  Co.,  Boston : 
"  The  work  is  written  in  plain  language,  easily  to  be  understood  by  the 
young  beginner  in  gardening,  who  will  find  it  a  great  help  ;  and  its  value, 
even  to  the  experienced  person,  is  by  no  means  of  an  ordinary  character. 
It  is  adapted  to  our  climate,  and  unlike  compilations  from  English , 
works,  the  novice  is  not  led  into  disappointment  by  following  the  rules 
there  laid  down,  as  he  generally  is,  when  following  the  advice  of  the  latter. 
We  repeat,  that  as  far  as  the  book  pretends,  it  is  worth  all  others  of 
a  similar  character  that  have  ever  been  published  in  this  coun- 
try ;  and  its  cheapness  should  place  it  in  the  hands  of  all  new  beginners." 

"  No  work  ever  published  has  been  so  studiously  written  to  give  plain 
useful  information.  By  being  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  catalogue,  you 
can  turn  in  a  moment  to  any  name  you  desire,  where  the  time  of  sowing, 
depth,  soil,  after  treatment,  &c  &c,  is  clearly  defined.  The  Calendarial 
Index,  giving  a  summary  of  work  for  every  month,  is  itself  worth  the  whole 
price  of  the  book,  and  must  have  cost  the  author  much  research  and  labor- 
ious thought.  Mr.  Bridgeman  is  not  a  theorist,  but  is  in  the  daily  practice 
of  what  he  writes,  and  of  course  well  qualified  to  direct  all  beginners  in  the 
profitable  and  delightful  employment  of  cultivating  a  garden,  '  a  profession 
and  an  employment  for  which  no  man  is  too  high  or  too  low.'  " — Genessee 
Farmer. 

"It  will,  we  are  persuaded,  be  found,  what  the  writer  intends  it  shall  be, 
'  generally  useful  to  such  as  may  wish  to  superintend,  or  take  the  manage 
ment  of  their  own  gardens.'  Mr.  Bridgeman  is  a  gardener  himself,  in  the 
Bowery  road,  and  his  directions  are  therefore  applicable  to  our  climate — an 
advantage  of  no  little  moment." — American. 

"Among  the  plants  for  the  cultivation  of  which  '  The  Young  Gardener's 
Assistant '  contains  directions,  are  a  number  of  culinary  vegetables  not 
generally  introduced  in  the  United  States.  The  introduction  and  success- 
tttl  cultivation  of  useful  foreign  vegetables  add  to  the  resources  of  our 
country.  We  recently  saw,  for  instance,  in  Mr.  Bridgeman's  garden,  seve- 
ral varieties  of  Broad  Beans,  Vicia  faba,  in  a  most  vigorous  and  thrifty 
growth.  They  occupied  a  clayey  spot  of  ground  that  was  not  suitable  so 
early  in  the  season  for  any  other  vegetable.  They  put  forth  a  beautiful 
blossom,  and  would  serve  as  an  ornament  for  the  flower  garden." — New 
York  Farmer. 


172  COMMENDATORY  NOTICES. 

*  Bridgeman's  Gardener's  Assistant. — The  fourth  edition  of  this 
useful  little  manual  is  published,  and  is  rendered  of  increased  value  by  the 
addition  of  several  matters  not  contained  in  either  of  the  former  editions. 
Among  these  is  a  short  and  convenient  calendar  to  assist  the  gardener's 
memory." — Evening  Post. 

"No  work  on  the  subject  of  Kitchen  Gardening  ever  published  in  this 
country  has  met  with  so  very  general  approbation  and  extensive  sale.  Mr. 
Bridgeman  is  well  known  as  one  of  our  best  gardeners,  and  writes  from  his 
own  experience." — Daily  Express. 

«  That  work  which  teaches  us  how  to  create  and  to  improve  this  most 
innocent  and  useful  source  of  pleasure,  is  surely  worthy  of  applause  and 
patronage  ;  and  such  we  consider  'The  Young  Gardener's  Assistant.'  "  - 
Morning  Herald. 

M  The  work  is  calculated  to  be  of  immense  service  to  those  engaged  in 
Agriculture,  'far  from  the  busy  haunts  of  men,'  and  to  the  disciples  of 
Flora,  in  the  city.  Mr.  Bridgeman  is  a  practical  gardener  and  seedsman, 
and  has  lived  many  years  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic." — Old  Countryman. 
"From  what  we  gather  from  the  tenor  of  Mr.  Bridgeman's  book,  we 
should  suppose  that  he  paid  but  little  attention  to  the  mere  on  dits  or  die 
turns  of  any,  but  that  he  pursued  that  course  which  his  judgment  pointed 
out ;  and  in  this  particular,  we  value  his  book — leading  the  young  gardener 
to  depend  more  on  his  own  judgment  than  on  the  rules  of  custom." 
American  Farmer. 

"AU  those  who  are  desirous  of  a  work  on  the  subject  of  Gardening,  and 
one  which  will  convey  the  best  information  on  the  management  of  Hot- 
beds, Asparagus  beds,  best  mode  of  raising  all  sorts  of  Esculent  Vegetables, 
Pruning,  Grafting  and  Budding  Fruit  Trees,  Training  the  Vine,  Preserving 
the  Fruit  from  Mildew,  &c  should  procure  this.  No  work  on  the  subject 
ever  published  in  this  country  has  met  with  half  as  extensive  a  sale,  or 
decided  public  approbation,  as  this  valuable  compendium.  Mr.  Bridgeman 
fully  understands  the  subject  on  which  he  treats.  The  very  rapid  sale  of 
the  eight  former  editions  is  quite  a  sufficient  recommendation." — G.  C 
Thorburn,  in  the  Evening  Star. 

u  We  can  assure  gardeners  and  farmers  that  they  will  in  times  and  ways 
almost  without  number,  be  amply  compensated  by  purchasing  the  book. 
Mr.  Bridgeman  bestows  great  labour  on  his  productions  of  the  pen,  not 
only  as  to  practical  matter  of  fact,  but  to  the  various  excellences  of  style 
particularly  to  clearness,  and  the  avoiding  a  redundancy  of  words.  The 
amount  of  useful  information  in  the  book  constitutes  its  value  j  and  all  this 
information  is  adapted  to  this  country,  and  its  climate  and  its  soil."—* 
American  Gardener's  Magazine. 

"  From  the  cursory  examination  we  have  been  enabled  to  give  '  The 
Young  Gardener's  Assistant,'  we  should  judge  that  it  embraces  a  greater 
amount  of  practical  information,  applicable  to  our  climate,  than  can  be 
found  in  any  similar  work.  The  list  of  fruit  trees  has  been  selected  from 
the  best  authorities,  both  foreign  and  American,  and  is  sufficiently  exten- 
sive for  any  cultivator  in  this  country." — Newark  Daily  Advertiser 


COMMENDATORY   NOTICES.  173 

••The  author  is  an  experienced  practical  gardener  and  seedsman,  and  hia 
book  is  an  excellent  manual  and  guide  for  the  beginner,  whether  old  or 
young,  in  horticultural  pursuits." — Gazette. 

14  From  the  systematic  arrangement  of  the  parts,  under  appropriate  heads, 
and  the  plain  and  practical  nature  of  the  instructions,  it  must  be  an  invalua- 
ble manual  for  those  who  may  wish  to  superintend  the  management  of 
their  own  gardens. — Albany  Argus. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Alex'r  Walsh,  Esq.,  Lansinburg: 

Dear  Sir : — You  will  see  by  the  next  month's  New- York  Farmer,  if  you 
have  not  already  seen  by  the  Albany  papers,  that  several  copies  of  the 
Young  Gardener's  Assistant  have  been  given  as  premiums,  by  the  State 
Agricultural  Society.  Mr.  D.  B.  Slingerland  and  myself  were  on  the  com- 
mittee for  awarding  premiums,  and  thought  your  work  was  deserving 
encouragement ;  and  that  even  in  this  small  way  we  might  be  of  service  in 
bringing  it  before  the  public  as  worthy  of  being  given  as  premiums."  * 

"  Written  with  a  good  deal  of  practical  knowledge  of  the  subject  on 
which  it  treats.  The  directions  given,  the  author  says,  are  the  result  of 
twenty  years'  experience,  and  we  dare  to  say,  that  though  submitted  in  an 
unpretending  form,  they  will  be  found  as  useful,  if  not  more  so,  than  those 
in  more  costly  and  expensive  works." — Courier  4-  Enquirer. 

"  We  have  undoubted  authority  for  pronouncing  this  work  as  worth  all 
others  of  a  similar  character  that  have  ever  been  published  in  this  country, 
from  its  adaptation  to  all  the  climates  in  the  United  States." — N.  Y.  Sun. 

"  That  this  is  a  useful  work  is  evident  from  the  number  of  editions- 
through  which  it  has  passed.  There  is  scarcely  any  employment  in  life 
more  pleasing  than  the  cultivation  of  a  Garden  with  Fruits  and  Flowers, 
Those  who  have  the  opportunity  to  indulge  themselves  in  this  gratification, 
we  have  no  doubt  will  derive  much  assistance  from  this  publication." — N. 
Y,  Tribune. 

«  Every  one  that  cultivates  a  garden  should  possess  the  work,  as  it  is  a 
complete  dictionary  for  young  beginners  in  the  delightful  field  of  Horticul- 
ture."— Working  Man's  Advocate. 

"  No  work  on  the  subject  ever  published  in  this  country  has  met  with 
half  as  extensive  a  sale  or  decided  approbation,  as  this  valuable  compen- 
dium. *  Mr.  Bridgeman  fully  understands,  from  practical  experience,  the 
subject  on  which  he  treats.  The  Calendarial  Index  arranges  the  work  for 
every  month,  and  refers  to  the  various  parts  of  the  book  how  to  proceed. 
This  of  itself  is  worth  the  price  of  the  whole  work,  and  cost  the  author 
immense  labour.  The  rapid  sale  of  the  former  editions,  together  with  the 
commendation  of  every  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Journal  in  America, 
and  several  in  England,  is  quite  sufficient  recommendation.  The  present 
edition  both  explains  and  fully  makes  known  what  was  thought  to  be  a 
great  discovery  (as  great  as  steam)  on  the  preservation  of  Fruit  Trees, 
Plants,  &c,  and  which,  to  make  known  to  the  people  of  these  United 
States,  an  application  was  made  to  the  25th  Congress  to  vote  the  supposed 

♦  The  American  Institute  bas  also  awaided  several  copies  cf  this  work  as  premiums  for. 
superior  specimens  of  garden  products. 


174  COMMENDATORY   NOTICES. 

author  of  the  discovery  a  sum  equal  to  five  cents  from  each  individual  in  the 
United  States — or  ahout  a  million  of  dollars.  Mr.  Bridgeman  has  clearly 
proved  this  discovery  from  his  long  observation  of  the  course  of  nature  and 
treatment  of  Trees  and  Plants,  and  which  only  occupies  some  four  or  five 
pages  of  the  work." — N.  Y.  Commercial,  by  G.  C.  Thorburn. 


*  The  Florist's  Guide. — A  delightful  little  book,  which  we  advise  every 
body  to  purchase — at  least  every  body  that  has  the  least  liking  for  the 
pleasing  occupation  on  which  it  treats." — Courier  §  Enquirer. 

"  The  Florist's  Guide,"  like  its  companion,  "  The  Young  Gardener's  As- 
sistant," is  a  useful  work,  which  every  Gardener  and  Florist  may  consult 
to  advantage.  It  gives  minute  directions  concerning  plants  of  various  spe- 
cies; the  names  and  characters  of  each  being  alphabetically  arranged,  makes 
it  an  invaluable  manual  for  those  who  may  wish  to  superintend  the 
management  of  their  own  gardens." — Newark  Daily  Advertiser. 

•'  This  is  one  of  the  best  works  on  the  subject  ever  published  in  any 
country :  it  contains  Practical  Directions  for  the  Cultivation  of  Annual, 
Biennial,  and  Perennial  Flowering  Plants,  of  different  classes,  Herbaceous 
and  Shrubby,  Bulbous.  Fibrous,  and  Tuberous-rooted,  including  the  Double 
Dahlia,  Greenhouse  Plants  in  Rooms,  &c.  &c 

"A  work  of  the  above  kind  has  been  long  wanted ;  hitherto,  it  required 
an  expenditure  of  some  three  or  four  dollars  to  get  any  kind  of  readable 
directions  for  small  gardens,  window  gardening,  plants  in  rooms,  &c, 
which,  when  procured,  were  so  full  of  botanical  foppery,  that  plain,  honest 
people,  after  wading  through  some  three  or  four  hundred  pages,  were  a3 
wise  as  to  knowing  how  to  set  about  their  gardening,  as  when  they  com- 
menced their  book.  The  present  little  work  obviates  all  these  difficulties. 
The  author  is  well  known  as  one  of  our  practical  gardeners,  and  it  may  be 
truly  said  he  has  rendered  the  ladies  in  particular  (for  whom  the  work  was 
projected)  an  essential  service ;  the  directions  for  the  care  of  the  Camellia 
Japonica,  the  Double  Dahlia,  the  sowing  and  treatment  of  Annual 
Flower  Seed,  &c,  are  alone  worth  double  the  price  of  the  book ;  so  is  the 
Calendarial  Index,  which,  by  the  untiring  industry  of  Mr.  Bridgeman,  is 
made  to  include  in  some  half  dozen  pages,  more  valuable  information  than 
is  to  be  found  in  some  ponderous  octavos  on  the  same  subject." — G.  C« 
Thorburn,  from  the  N.  Y.  Commercial. 

"  The  style  is  free,  and  the  language  appropriate  ;  the  plan  is  judicious, 
and  the  contents  embrace  much  well  arranged  practical  information,  unen- 
cumbered with  disquisitions  foreign  to  the  object  of  the  work.     We  very 
cheerfully  recommend  it  to  our  readers  as  a  cheap  and  useful  book." 
Gardener's  Magazine. 


The  Florist's  Guide  has  also  been  very  favourably  noticed  by  the  editors 
01  many  other  very  respectable  periodicals,  as  a  work  eminently  calculated 
to  promote  a  love  for  the  cultivation  and  correct  management  of  flowers — 
the  study  of  which,  remarks  one  of.  these  writers,  "  refines  the  taste,  and 
imparts  just  and  ennobling  views  of  the  wise  provisions  of  nature." 


175 


LINES 

SUGGESTED  BY  THE  AWARD  OF  A  GOLD  MEDAL  TO  THE  AUTHOR 
OF  '  THE  YOUNG  GARDENER'S  ASSISTANT,'  AT  THE  FOURTEENTH 
ANNUAL  FAIR  OF  THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE,  1841,  FOR  ITS 
GREAT  PRACTICAL  UTILITY. 


BY  D.  MITCHELL. 


As  Valor's  meed,  and  Honor's  brightest  test, 
I've  seen  a  Medal  on  a  Warrior's  breast ; 
But  to  my  mind  it  brought  sad  scenes  to  view— 
The  sweeping  carnage  of  red  Waterloo — 
Th;  orphan's  tear — the  widow's  drooping  head, 
For  slaughter'd  heroes  on  false  glory's  bed — 
The  earth  made  desolate,  its  fruits  despoil'd, 
By  mad  Ambition,  fearless  an&unfoil'd  ! 
Not  so  the  Token  thou  hast  gained  from  Peace, 
Thou  lov'st  to  see  fair  Nature's  wide  increase, 
And  the  "  Young  Gard'ner,"  in  thy  fertile  book, 
Finds  an  "  Assistant "  not  to  be  mistook  ! 
Thine  is  the  pleasing  art  to  cultivate, 
Fill  Plenty's  horn,  and  better  man's  estate ; 
Thine  is  the  wish  the  Cotter's  life  to  mend, 
And  teach  him  that  a  garden  is  his  friend  : 
That  Virtue  smiles — sheds  blessings  on  his  head, 
And  makes  him  happy  in  his  humble  shed, 
Who  tends  his  "  little  patch  "  in  well  spent  hours, 
Amid  his  kitchen  treasures  and  his  flowers ; 
That  Vice  ne'er  mars  a  lovely  scenejike  this — 
The  consummation  of  the  poor  man's  bliss ! 
Health,  my  firm  friend,  long  life  and  health  to  thee, 
Health  to  the  scions  from  the  parent  tree ; 
Well  may  thy  trophy  be  a  source  of  pride, 
May  they  preserve  it,  whatsoe'r  betide : 
'Tis  a  memento  for  imparting  good, 
More  nobly  won  than  that  for  shedding  blood ! 


AMERICAN  STANDARD  HORTICULTURAL  ROOKS. 


The  Young  Gardener's  Assistant,  containing 
Catalogues  of  Garden  and  Flower  Seed,  with  Practical 
Directions  under  each  head  for  the  Cultivation  of  Culi- 
nary Vegetables  and  Flowers ;  also,  directions  for  culti- 
vating Fruit  Trees,  Shrubs,  and  Vines,  including  the 
Fig,  the  Cranberry,  and  the  Grape  Vine.  To  which  is 
added  a  Calendar  to  each  part,  showing  the  work  ne- 
cessary to  be  done  in  the  various  departments  of  Gar- 
dening each  month  of  the  year.  The  whole  adapted  to 
the  climate  of  the  United  States.  The  12th  edition, 
improved,  520  pages  octavo.  By  T.  BRIDGE  MAN, 
Gardener,  Seedsman,  and  Florist :  New- York. 


#3"  As  each  part  of  the  above  Work  makes  a  complete  volume,  a 
large  Edition  has  been  published  in  three  separate  books,  with  a  view 
to  accommodate  the  different  description  of  cultivators.  They  are 
entitled  as  follows  :— 

The  Kitchen  Gardener's  Instructor ;  which 
contains  ample  directions  for  the  cultivation  of  Culinary 
Vegetables  and  Herbs  throughout  the  ordinary  season  ; 
and  instructions  for  Forcing  and  Forwarding  Vegetables 
in  winter  and  early  in  the  spring. 

The  Florist's  Guide,  contains  all  the  necessary 
information  for  managing  a  Flower  Garden,  and  for 
cultivating  Exotic  Plants,  either  in  a  Greenhouse,  or 
warm  room. 

The  Fruit  Cultivator's  Manual,  is  designed  to 
qualify  the  novice  in  Fruit  Culture  for  the  superintend- 
ence of  his  own  Orchard  and  Fruit  Garden. 


Each  of  the  above  Volumes  contains  176  pages,  12mo. 
Cents,  half  bound ;  Sixty-two  Cents,  full  bound. 


Price  Fifty 


^p3  Booksellers  and  Seedsmen  supplied  on  liberal 
terms,  by  the  Author,  Broadway,  corner  of  Eighteenth 
Street,  New- York. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


RENEWED  BOOKS  ARE  SUBJECT  TO  IMMEDIATE 
RECALL 


JUN  1  3  1967 
8    1367 


LIBRARY,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  DAVIS 

Book  S]ip-50m-8,'63(D9954s4)458 


295639 


Bridgeman,  T. 

The  florist's  guide 


O 


^{AQC^An 


SBU05 

B75 


SB  405* 
575 


295639 


The  Young"  Gardener's  Assistant,  containing 
Catalogues  of  Garden  and  Flower  Seed,  with  Practical 
Directions  under  each  head  for  the  Cultivation  of  Culi- 
nary Vegetables  and  Flowers ;  also,  directions  for  culti- 
vating Fruit  Trees,  Shrubs,  and  Vines,  including  the 
Fio,  the  Cranberry,  and  t]  3  Grape  Vine.  To  which  is 
added  a  Calendar  to  each  part,  showing  the  work  ne- 
cessary to  be  done  in  the  various  departments  of  Gar- 
dening each  month  of  the  year.  The  whole  adapted  to 
the  climate  of  the  United  States.  The  tenth  edition, 
improved,  520  pages  octavo.  By  T.  BRIDGEMAN, 
Gardener,  Seedsman,  and  Florist :  New- York. 


§Cr  As  each  part  of  the  above  Work  makes  a  complete  volume,  a 
large  Edition  has  been  published  in  three  separate  books,  with  a  view 
to  accommodate  the  different  description  of  cultivators.  They  are 
entitled  as  follows  :— • 

The  Kitchen  Gardener's  Instructor ;  which 
contains  ample  directions  for  the  cultivation  of  Culinary 
Vegetables  and  Herbs  throughout  the  ordinary  season ; 
and  instructions  for  Forcing  and  Forwrrding  Vegetables 
in  winter  and  early  in  the  spring. 

The  Florist's  Guide,  contains  all  the  necessary 
information  for  managing  a  Flower  Garden,  and  for 
cultivating  Exotic  Plants,  either  in  a  Greenhouse,  or 
warm  room. 

The  Fruit  Cultivator's  Manual,  is  designed  to 
qualify  the  novice  in  Fruit  Culture  for  the  superintend- 
ence of  his  own  Orchard  and  Fruit  Garden. 


Each  of  the  abova  V  Iumes  contains  176  pages,  12mo. 
Cents,  half  bound;  Sixt\  two  Cents,  full  bound. 


Price  Fifty 


Booksellers    and   Seedsmen    supplied   on   liberal    f! 
terms,  by  the  Author,   Broadway,  corner  of  Eighteenth 
Street,  New- York. 


Albert  HantoKJ,  Xylograi  her,  58  Nassau-st.,  corner  of  Maiden  Lane. 


